A/N: I'm glad that you all enjoyed the bull riding but I can't take credit for the idea… That would be my girl Bre's doing. I'm trying to write this story as carefree as possible at the moment, build their relationship up… I'm sorry if it's moving too slow for you but I promise it's about to pick up. But thank you to those of you that continue reviewing! This is for you guys!

--

Help Me Fall

Chapter Eight: Realizing the Passion

He stood, scrubbing his hands behind the sink. It was time to go to work, save a life… his specialty. But where was Robin? Normally she was here before he was, being the perfectionist that she is.

"Dr. Drake?" A nurse called his name before he walked into the operating room. "Dr. Scorpio told me to give this to you."

He glanced at what she was holding in her hands and nodded, reading the words scribbled on the paper.

Patrick-

I won't be in the OR for Mrs. Stevens' surgery, Alan needs my help. Find me when you get out and maybe we can go to dinner? You'll do great babe!

Robin

He sighed and nodded to the nurse. This surgery was going to take even longer now without her at his side.

These past couple of weeks, he had grown to really depend on her. They worked so well together, she was the one who helped him through these tough operations. She kept the room as calm and as stress free as possible.

He walked through the swinging doors where everyone was waiting for him. The nurse put the gloves over his hands; he stepped up to the table and nodded to her replacement for the day. He would miss Robin later; he had a life to save right now.

--

"How did it go?" He heard her voice a soon as he exited the operating room. Eight hours. He hated the long ones.

He sighed deeply and took a seat on the stool nearby. "We almost lost her." He looked up at her. "Where were you? I thought you were going to be in there with me?"

"There was an emergency downstairs. Alan needed my help. He said he was going to have someone come in and take my place. I couldn't find you before to let you know…" He silenced her with a gentle kiss on the lips.

"I needed that." He pulled her closer and laid his head on her shoulder, sighing once again. "I got your note and he did have a replacement." He explained. "Although, he wasn't as much fun to flirt with." He raised his head and smiled at her.

Her small hands wrapped around his shoulders and gently kneaded the muscles there. His eyes closed and he groaned in satisfaction. "Are you okay?" She asked barely above a whisper.

"I jut haven't been getting much sleep lately. Not since I found out about my dad's liver disease." He explained. "And be still won't listen to me…"

"Shh… Don't worry about that right now. What do you say we get out of here?" Robin suggested.

"I think that is the best idea I have heard all day." He grinned at her once more before standing and kissing the tip of her nose.

"Good because I have something that I want to share with you."

--

The walked along the docks, hand in hand, in silence. The breeze coming off of the water brought their senses to life and they paused looking at the setting sun, off in the distance. His arms wrapped around her waist with his head resting on her shoulder. She let her body relax and she sank back into his touch, sighing contently.

"I missed you today, you know?" He broke the silence.

"What do you mean?"

"In the OR… you weren't there and I missed you." He turned his head on her shoulder where he could smell her strawberry shampoo, and closed his eyes. He felt her body shiver with his breathing on her neck. "I just thought you should know."

He felt so at ease just standing here, holding her so close to him. It didn't matter who saw them together. It didn't matter what was happening around them because at this point in time, life was perfect.

"I talked to Noah earlier." She stated and she felt his body stiffen. "I know I should stay out of it but, I can't. Not when it is bothering you as bad as it is and I knew that was what has been bothering you…" She explained.

"What did he say?" He questioned coldly.

"He is going to put himself on the transplant list."

He pulled away from her slightly. "Are you serious? He is really going to do it?"

She nodded, smiling. "I didn't think he was going to give in at first but I yelled and I screamed. I believe I even slapped him, and he finally gave in."

He turned her body to face him. "Thank you," he cupped her face, "Thank you so much." He kissed her on the lips and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground. "Thank you!"

"I think this deserves a celebration… and I have the perfect thing." She stated when her feet were firmly planted on the ground once more.

"Whatever you say. I will do anything you ask… you got him to agree to the transplant!"

"Come on." She grabbed his hand, pulling him behind her.

--

"What's in the bag?" A very nosy Patrick asked when they reached the door to his apartment. They had made a pit stop at the grocery store on their way but she had forced him to wait outside while she did the shopping.

"You'll find out soon enough. Sit." She instructed pointing toward the couch but he didn't budge from the doorway.

"Why exacting do you assume that I will do whatever you instruct me to do? First at the store and now…"

She kissed him gently. "Please?" She gave him her best pouting face.

"Fine." He relented as the finally entered his apartment and he closed the door. "But I'm not going to like it one bit."

--

He watched the moment shared between the two of them…at the docks, followed by their flirting at the grocery store, and finally at his apartment. It was obvious that something was going on between the two of them and it was more than either one of them had been willing to admit the last time they had spoken. Yes, she had changed over the years but had her judgment really faltered that much for her to start spending time with the likes of Patrick Drake?

He wasn't certain of who she had become in the past few years, or even the past few weeks. They hadn't really had much of a chance to talk about 'things.' But now it was obvious that he was going to have to make time, he was going to have to speak with her before things got too far out of control.

--

"Do I even get a hint?" Patrick yelled from his spot on the couch.

"You really don't like surprises do you?" She smiled as she stuck her head out from behind the door to the kitchen.

"No, not really."

"Fine. One hint, but then you will have to wait… deal?" She raised her eyebrows expectantly at him.

"Deal."

She disappeared once more behind the door before returning once more and throwing something towards him. "Heads up."

He caught what she tossed at him, sending one more uncertain glance in her direction but she had already disappeared behind the door again. "Whipped Cream?" He said out loud. "Robin!" He yelled. "What kind of joke is this? You know what kind of things are running through my head right now?"

"Well, Dr. Drake… you are definitely going to be disappointed then." She smiled as she walked out of the kitchen, with her hands behind her back.

"You can say that again. Why are you still clothed?" He gave a charming smile.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but the whipped cream wasn't for whatever you had in mind." She raised her eyebrows at him. "It was for ice cream." She giggled, pulling two bowls from behind her back.

"Ice cream? You have got to be kidding me!"

"Sorry…" She smiled sheepishly. "Here." She handed him a bowl and took a seat on the couch.

"I haven't had ice cream in so long." He stated. "Being a doctor I usually try to eat healthy. I can't really preach to my patients about the importance of eating right when I don't…" He explained.

"Well I think this news about Noah can be an exception. You deserve to splurge for once."

He stared at her for a minute, their eyes locked. "What?" She questioned, blushing under his intense stare.

"Thank you. For everything." He said a he sat his bowl on the table nearby. "For one thing, you talked my dad into putting his name on the list… you make me feel like kid again," He smiled referring to the ice cream, "and yet I still feel like a man when I'm around you. A better man. A man that my mom would love to see."

"Thank you, Patrick. Thank you for saying that."

She sat her own bowl on the table and scooted closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. They both sighed and relaxed into each other and Patrick took the initiative, leaning her back on the couch and laying on top of her. He kissed her once more, gently.

"What are you doing to me Scorpio?" He asked, his eyes glistening.

She giggled and grabbed the pillow behind her head, hitting Patrick with it, causing her to laugh even harder.

"I know you didn't just do what…" She hit him once more. "That's it. You're going to pay for that one." He sat up and grabbed another pillow giving her time to crawl from under him, running down the hall with him on her tail. He caught up with her and cornered her between the wall and his body, kissing her yet again.

--

He stood staring through the window at the scene before him. Neither knew he was there, watching their moment. Watching their seriousness, their playfulness, their passion. Things had changed over the past couple of years…she had changed. And with that change, came a whole new outlook on life. A life that was evidently filled with Patrick Drake.

Could he handle that? Did he have any choice?

--

A/N: I had hoped to have this chapter out sooner but we had a family emergency and I had to go out of state. So there it was. I hope you liked it. As you can tell, I'm starting to bring in the angst. This story is taking shape and in the next few chapters it's going to take a whole new turn… I can promise you that. So I hope you liked it! Stay tuned!