Title : How to Get a Player to Commit

Author : Steph
Rating : PG
Pairing : Robin/Patrick
Category : Romance/Humor/Drama

POV: Robin

Disclaimer : I do this out of a love for this couple. No infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Picks up right after the cabin, so includes cabin stuff
Summary : Robin decides she wants a commitment from Patrick and comes up with a set of rules to follow in order to get her man.

Note # 1 : Hey guys! I've got a new story. This one is a bit different. It started out as a one or two parter and then I realized that its nature dictated that it be 10 parts (one for each rule). That means the parts will be much, much shorter than my usual, but I think it will work better this way. Plus, at least I'll surpass five parts this way!

Note # 2: This takes place right after the cabin stuff and it's from Robin's POV. It's the first time I've written from one of their POVs before, but it was fun so I'll have to do it more often. Anyway, hope you enjoy it and please let me know what you thought. Thanks! -Steph

--- How to Get a Player to Commit: Introduction & Rule #1 ---

I've never been one to play games when it comes to relationships. I always felt it took too much energy. I would rather be up front with a guy and see where things go.

And then Patrick Drake walked into my life.

He was infuriating and intriguing all at once. He threw me off balance. He'd say something to me and I'd find myself responding in a way I would never expect. He would look at me and, as much as I didn't want it to, my heart would start racing.

We flirted, bantered, and bickered. There were mixed emotions and mixed signals.

And then, without even realizing it had happened, I found myself in love with him.

I tried to deny it for a long time. Boy, did I try to deny it. I denied it to myself, my father, my mother. I mean, what was the point in falling in love with a man who didn't want a commitment? Why put myself through that kind of heartache? Denial was much easier and less painful.

Then we made love. I should be saying had sex, but I can't. It was so much more than that for me. I had been pushing my feelings for him down for so long that I thought I could handle sleeping with him. I thought I could make it just about the physical. I thought I could shut down my emotions and just enjoy being with him, having him touch me.

But I couldn't do it. I looked at him and I was a goner. And that's when I realized I'd been a goner for a long time now. We were sitting up in bed, wrapped up in each other. We pulled back and I looked at him. I looked at him and tears suddenly appeared in my eyes. And I knew why. I was looking into the eyes of a man I was in love with, not just someone to have a good time with and then throw aside.

Looking into his eyes, I could see it was more than just sex for him, too. But he's scared and I don't think he's yet realized what I have. The next morning, he started to pull away. I thought it was because of my HIV, but he told me just wanted to make sure I didn't expect a commitment from him now. I told him I didn't. I made a big production out of making it seem like I was only in it for the sex.

And here's where my problem lies. I don't expect a commitment from him, but I sure as hell want one. I don't want to be with anyone else. After one night spent together, Patrick Drake has ruined me for all other men. I'm not just referring to the mind-bending physical aspect. We made an emotional connection that I can't imagine ever having with another man.

Like I said, I was never one to play games when it came to relationships. That is, until Patrick came along. That is, until I fell in love with a player. Now, it seems, playing games is the only way I'll ever get what I want. Because, you see, I refuse to just let him go.

Every game has its rules and this one is no different.

Rule # 1: Make him think he's in control.
Rule # 2: Leave him wanting more.
Rule # 3: Make him jealous.
Rule # 4: Leave him speechless.
Rule # 5: Play hard to get.
Rule # 6: Tell him lies. Tell him sweet, little lies.
Rule # 7: Keep him guessing.
Rule # 8: Make him admit his fears.
Rule # 9: Make him come to you.
Rule # 10: Make him believe he's losing you.

---

Rule # 1: Make him think he's in control.

My mother always said if you want to control a man let him believe he's the one in control. And my mother's always right.

I'm lost in my thoughts about how I plan to go about getting what I want, when Patrick walks out of the elevator.

Oh, God, there he is. I haven't seen Patrick since we got back from the cabin last night. I just realized it's a whole lot easier formulating these rules when he's not staring at me from across the room.

I lower my head and look down at the counter, I try to reach for a patient chart but there isn't one close enough. So, I grab the closest item to me. I try to look engrossed, but I really can't focus at all.

He walks over to me, placing his elbows on the counter and propping his chin up with his hands. He's just staring at me.

I take my time looking up at him and then offer him a slow smile. "Oh, hi."

"Hi," he says, his eyes scanning my face and stopping at my lips.

How is it that he can make a simple greeting sound so damn sexy and seductive?

I swallow. "So, you're late."

He grins, as he removes one hand from his chin and covers mine with it. His thumb begins running circles on my skin. My knees nearly give way.

"I was exhausted. Long night." He drags the words out as he says them, his eyes dark with desire.

I nod and look down at what I am pretending to be engrossed in. The truth is, he is making my vision blurry. I have no idea what I'm looking at.

"Are you busy?" he asks.

"I'm very busy."

Patrick leans forward and pulls the reading material out from beneath me. He smiles and holds it up to me.

"This is a Highlights magazine."

I blush. Damn those irresponsible kids who don't put things back where they found hem.

I smile sheepishly. "I'm riveted by page 14. Try as I might, I just cannot find that tenth hidden squirrel."

He drops the magazine onto the counter and takes my hand. He walks out of the nurses' station and pulls me into a corner of the waiting area.

"What's going on?"

"What do you mean? Nothing's going on."

"You're acting weird."

I take a deep breath. I have to remember my game plan. I have to make him think he's in control, which, quite frankly, isn't too difficult right now since I'm certainly not in control.

I shrug. "I guess I just want to make sure we're on the same page. You know, about our relationship."

He nods. "You mean, keep it casual."

I bob my head. "Right."

"So we're in agreement then. No strings sex."

"I hate strings."

He grins. "Liar. No matter what you say, you're a long haul kind of girl, Robin. You love strings. You sure you can handle this?"

I tilt my head. "I'm going with the flow. I'm following your lead. You don't want a commitment and that sounds a lot less complicated than what I'm used to. You should know, right? You're always...stringless."

His brow furrows. "Yeah, it makes things easier. I just never figured you to take the easy route before."

"Trying something new. This way, we can have sex when we want, but we don't have to worry about feelings getting in the way. Feelings just complicate matters. Who needs that?"

He nods, pursing his lips, as he lowers his gaze to the floor. "Yeah, who needs that?"

I smile and then walk away. I can feel his eyes on me.

------------
Up next - Rule # 2: Leave him wanting more.
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it and please let me know what you thought. -Steph