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Twenty-Two

The porter closed the door behind him leaving Patrick and Robin standing silently just drinking the other in. Both fought a feeling of overwhelm now that they were truly safe and alone.

"Nice room."

Robin let out a bark of laughter and looked around at the lush suite room. "Yeah, it is." She turned her eyes back to Patrick. "I hadn't noticed."

"A lot nicer than the dilapidated mansion in the Maarkham Islands. And I bet the bathtub works." Patrick grinned and winked.

Robin's smile widened and tears of joy ran down her cheeks. "I forgot my guidebook and my machete," she whispered brokenly.

"You don't need them here," Patrick said softly and walked towards her until he could reach out his arm and touch her.

"In London, probably not." Robin wiped at her cheeks and looked up at him. "Are you just going to stand there?"

Patrick bit his lip and looked away, swallowing over the lump in his throat before looking back at her. "I'm afraid to touch you," he whispered.

"Why?" Robin asked hoarsely in surprise.

Patrick grinned ruefully and ruffled his hair nervously with his left hand. "I, uh, thought I saw you a couple of times before today. I'm afraid you're going to be a figment of my imagination again." He looked her up and down. She was wearing green scrubs from the hospital in Amsterdam they had gone to in order to have Robert, Robin, Sean, Aidan and Alex checked out before Sean insisted they leave the country immediately on the chartered plane Alex's husband Dimitri had provided for the U.S.-bound contingent before taking his wife home to Hungary. "Although in my, er, delusions you were wearing that sexy red dress."

"That figures." Robin laughed. "Which red dress?" Robin stepped towards him, stopping when they were only inches apart.

"The one you wore when you came back from your little adventure in the Maarkham Islands. You were gorgeous in that dress." His voice was husky. He bit his lips as she slid her palms up his chest and looked up at him in that way she did before they kissed.

"iLittle/i adventure?" She grinned through her tears.

"Very little. You want to know about adventure let me tell you about my adventures to Canada, Paris, Prague…"

She put her fingers over his lips as he rattled off the places he'd been in search of her. "You can tell me later. That shower I had at the hospital wasn't quiet refreshing enough. Didn't you mention something about a working bathtub?" She narrowed her eyes.

He licked his lips and brought his face closer to hers. "I think I might have mentioned that. I might even have some of that flowery stuff you like me to rub all over your body."

Robin pulled her head back and looked at him in surprise. Then she leaned back in and sniffed. Her jaw dropped open and tears once again filled her eyes. "Dr. Drake, you smell might purty!" She jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

Patrick grunted as he caught her and then supported her with his hands on her bottom. "I do not! I smell manly! I smell like a man who just rescued his woman!" he growled playfully.

Robin pressed kisses to his face. "You. Smell. Pretty!" she teased, laughing and crying at the same time. She stopped and cupped his hands in her face. "You're real. I'm real," she whispered in awe and tightened her legs around his waist, causing him to stagger back. "I love you." She pressed her lips to his initiating a long, deep, rabid kiss.


"You should have gone to the hospital," Anna said.

"Please. I'm fine."

"You're no spring chicken," Anna comment laconically as Robert lowered himself gently onto the couch in front of the windows of his Plaza suite.

"You say the sweetest things, luv."

Anna sighed and sat down next to her ex-husband.

"I'm sorry."

"What?" Anna screwed her face up and leaned in closer.

Robert rolled his eyes at her feigned sudden inability to hear him. "I didn't want to worry you. I should have told you the WSB had their eyes on our daughter," he said formally.

"There was the added complication of you being dead." Anna tightened her lips, then she sighed. "I should have known." She shook her head ruefully. "We bore our daughter into this life."

"We've done the best we could."

"You keep saying that, but I'm not so sure that's really true, Robert. We did the best for ourselves, but for Robin?" She broke off doubtfully.

"There's nothing we can do to change the past. Can we just revel in the fact that we have her back safe and sound now?" Robert asked quietly.

Anna nodded and then stopped to think, before she could speak, Robert jumped in.

"What's going on with you and the elder pretty boy doctor, Anna? You're taste has slightly improved given that he's not a criminal, but really, Anna. A doctor?"

"I think I'm immune to the opinion of the guy who was fighting with Luke Spencer over the slut ex-wife who almost killed out daughter. Not to mention the fact that it's not your business."

"And how do you think Robin will feel about you possibly making her boyfriend her stepbrother?" Robert snorted. "You're not thinking of marrying him are you?"

"I just met the man. Don't go trying to stir up trouble," Anna said lightly and stood up. "Do you need anything? Water? Painkillers?"

"Your doctor boyfriend made sure I had everything." Robert bat his eyelashes and smirked at his ex-wife.

"I swear if you plant those crazy ideas in your daughter's head I'll make what the DVX did to you look like a picnic."

"Not feeling the love, Devane. But don't worry, I'll keep your secret and let you face your daughter's wrath all on your own."

"Good night, Robert." Anna let herself out of the suite and walked to the other end of the hall. She stopped in front of a red door similar and knocked.


Laura took in the handsome couple seated at her table in the bar. They were her lone customers, and they were simply sitting at the tiny round table in the corner and staring at each other, smiling. It was a slow night in the Plaza Hotel's bar, and the manager had sent the other cocktail waitress home, but Laura had agreed to stick it out. Kenny was bartending tonight and besides being devastatingly handsome, he always made the evening fun. Tonight, for example, they were playing "Will They or Won't They." They had placed a small wager on whether or not the dark haired couple would leave together. Laura's money was on yes. She'd sensed an intimacy between the two, and the sparks were definitely flying. She smoothed her short black skirt, then picked up the tray of drinks and headed over to them.

"OK loves, I've got one bourbon for you," she placed the drink in front of the man, smiling, and then placed a large martini glass in front of the woman. "And one martini, extra dry with four olives, a twist of lemon and a side dish of cherries. Let me know if I can get you anything else."

The couple nodded at her and watched her walk away.

"So." Brenda looked around her, mindlessly playing with her napkin and then placing both hands on the table in front of her, focusing on Aidan. "She looks good, right? You think Robin's okay?"

"I think she's doing amazingly well. It's to be expected of course, she's a Devane." Aidan looked down at his hands. "And you? Are you okay?"

Brenda laughed. "Me? Of course. I was held against my will in a castle, not some devious underground lab." She took a sip of her martini and tilted her head. "And I was rescued by a very dashing secret agent."

"Former agent," Aidan said. "You were very brave, Brenda. You would have made quite a spy."

"Yeah, well, I do look really good in black."

They were silent again until Brenda cleared her throat. " Pine Valley, huh?"

Aidan shifted in his seat and fingered the rim of his glass. "Yep," he whispered, glancing sideways at Brenda. " Rome?"

"Yeah," Brenda sighed and took a swig of her martini. "Great." She popped a cherry into her mouth. "You're handsome, intelligent and you've probably never been involved in the mob."

"No, no mob dealings."

"I wish…"

Aidan started to reach for her hand and then stopped. "Yeah, me too."

Brenda looked at his hand, halfway across the table, and swallowed hard. "Well, I should get going," she said with forced cheerfulness. "I've got to get back to my boutique. Marietta's probably having a cow."

Aidan nodded, unable to look her in the eye. "She did seem a bit frazzled when Patrick and I spoke with her at Paris Fashion Week."

Brenda looked at him silently for a moment, and then got up from the table.

"Goodbye, Aidan Devane."

"Goodbye, Brenda Barrett."

Finally, Aidan raised his head and the two held each other's eyes for a moment. Then Brenda turned on her heel and walked out of the bar and Aidan's life.

"Buggar," Laura said under her breath. "I can't believe she left here without him."

Kenny laughed. "Never go against a bartender when it comes to relationships sweetheart."


It seemed like ages ago, Anna thought as she looked at Dr. Noah Drake pouring her a glass of wine and himself a glass of club soda from the mini bar. Like that first morning he was wearing scrub pants and a wife beater t-shirt. She had thought him attractive that morning, but all he had really been in her mind was a tool to help her find her daughter. Tonight, this morning, he was so much more than that.

He turned then, his knowing eyes piercing into her own. He walked over to where she sat curled up on the couch and handed her the pale liquor. He sat down next to her. Close enough for her to smell the soap he had used in the shower about fifteen minutes ago she judged from the moistness that clung to his hair.

"Does it bother you to watch someone else drink?" she asked quietly.

"I enjoy watching you do anything." He gave her a charming smile.

Anna blushed and took a sip of her drink and tried to remember the last time she blushed. Who the last person was that managed to elicit such vulnerability from her.

"We should toast to a successful mission," Noah said and held his glass out. "To Robin."

"To Robin." Anna clinked her class with his. Once again their eyes held. "And to you, Noah. Your assistance was invaluable. To the mission. And to me."

Noah nodded in acceptance of the acknowledgement and then took a sip of his club soda.

"So what now? Do you come back to Port Charles or stay here in London?" he asked after many minutes of silence ticked by.

Anna let a Cheshire grin transform her face as she heard the subtext in the question that Noah didn't even bother to hide. "I came to Port Charles to see my daughter and check out your son. I've done the latter, but the former still needs some work." Anna sighed and put her glass down on the coffee table. "Truth is that I've missed a lot of Robin's life. The last year or so through my own choice. I'm going to take a leave of absence or resign and make up for lost time with my daughter."

Noah smiled widely and leaned forward. "If you need a place to stay in Port Charles I still have that spare bedroom. And one or two others."

Anna blushed again and laughed at herself. "Rather presumptuous don't you think, Dr. Drake?" Despite her words she let Noah entwine his fingers with hers and rest them on the couch between them.

"Definitely presumptuous, but an offer nonetheless."

"Noah."

"Uh oh, that tone is not a yes."

Anna looked down at their hands. "I haven't felt like this in a long time, Noah." She looked up at him, her face serious. "I'm willing to explore it, but I have one request."

"Anything." His voice was husky.

"Let's not tell our children until, if, there is something to tell them. Let's give this some time first."

Noah toyed gently with her slender fingers. "They probably will figure it out before we decide there is something to tell them and I'm pretty certain Patrick already senses our chemistry. It is pretty undeniable. What are you afraid of? They'll disapprove?"

"I'm not worried about anyone else but us and I'd like to keep it that way until I know this is real." Her voice was filled with emotion, with wonder, as well as a touch of insecurity. She shook her head ruefully. "The way you make me feel, Noah Drake. I feel sixteen again."

"Good, then we're even." He laughed and moved closer and put his arm around her shoulder. "How about a kiss to seal the deal?"

She answered him with a laugh and a kiss.


Patrick traced the tips of his fingers over Robin's shoulder and down her bare arm. She shivered, her nipple puckered visibly under the sheet that was the only covering over her body. It was the dead of night and they lie on the bed facing each other. Hours of passion had given way once again to quiet awe.

"You're so pale. You need to sleep," he said huskily.

"I'm pale because I haven't seen the sun in weeks. I don't need to sleep."

"Did you not get outside at all?" he asked gently. They had yet to speak about her ordeal and he was treading gently, letting her lead where she felt comfortable going.

"No." She looked down and then back up at him. "I had to go with them, stay with them. They threatened to kill you all. You. My mother. My father. Noah. Brenda. Uncle Mac. Anyone and everyone I love." A tear ran down her cheek. He caught it with his thumb. "I would have stayed there for the rest of my life if it meant all of you were safe." She closed her eyes for a moment as the images of the church exploding flashed through her mind.

He stroked her cheek and pushed her hair behind her ear. "But I wasn't all right. I can't be all right if you're not with me." He swallowed and licked his bottom lip. "I love you, Robin." His voice broke on the still new words.

"I love you, Patrick." She scooted into his arms and they held each other, her head resting on his chest.

"Do you want to stay in Europe for a while and spend some time being tourists?" Patrick asked, stroking her hair.

"No. I just want to go home. I want us to go home."

"Speaking of home." Patrick cleared his throat. "Remember that you gave me a key before…before you were gone? Well, you might notice that I made myself at home."

"How at home?" Robin propped her chin up and looked up at him curiously, a slight smile on her lips.

"I may have kinda moved in." He cleared his throat.

Robin bit back a laugh at the unexpected news. "Are you planning to stay?" She cleared her throat as she checked in with what she was feeling. Nothing but happiness.

"Are you kicking me out?" he countered.

"Nah. I think I'll keep you." She paused for a moment. "It's a big step, though. For anyone."

"And I freaked out over the key. I know." Patrick closed his eyes and nodded. "There's something else I need to confess." He opened his eyes. "I read your journal."

"You read my journal?" She parroted in shock and sat up. Her cheeks flushed and she bit her bottom lip. "Why?"

"At first it was for clues to where you'd disappeared to, but then I read it to feel closer to you. Because I missed you. It was quite a revelation to see me and how I treated you through your eyes. No," he said when she tried to interrupt. "I was a coward, Robin. All the way through. No strings. Freaking out after I felt too much at Kell's and couldn't fight it back anymore. Even when I was trying to woo you back I wasn't completely honest with either of us. Then I freaked out about the key." Patrick blew out a breath and shook his head.

"Then you were gone and I came face to face with the fact that the thing I should actually be scared of is not having you in my life. Of not being able to tell you and show you how much I love you. Of not having the gift of your love. All the times I called you a coward, I was really talking about me."

Robin stared into Patrick's eyes, a small smile tilting her lips. "I knew that." She bit her lip.

Patrick opened his mouth in shock. "I'm pouring my heart out to you and you tell me you knew that!" he gasped and laughed at her audacity.

"Patrick, I knew all of that and I still couldn't resist you like you always said. Now look at us. You could have died coming after me. Even if you didn't say the words I knew you loved me the moment I saw you."

Patrick flushed and swallowed. "That wasn't love, that was about looking good. And I'm too pretty to die a hero." He pulled her back into his embrace and kissed the top of her head.

Robin giggled into his neck. "Phew. For a minute I thought I was coming back to Stepford Boyfriend."

Patrick wrapped his arm around Robin's waist and spun them around so that she was lying beneath him. "I will never be a Stepford Boyfriend and you'd better never be Stepford Girlfriend. Unless that's what we decide to dress up as on Halloween."

Robin shivered and frowned.

"Fine, we'll pick other costumes." Patrick laughed and kissed her on the nose.

"I think I've had enough of things not appearing to be something other than what they are for a while. Let's just be ourselves."

"We do have another holiday to celebrate first, anyway."

"What's that?"

"Happy birthday, Robin." Patrick leaned down and captured her lips in a heated kiss.

END…for now

A/N: There is a sequel to this story! We already have the premise and the title –Theory of Moral Relativity so keep an eye out for our next one. And THANKS!