Chapter 22

Robin knocked on Obrecht's door and listened for permission to enter. "Komm herein."

Robin rolled her eyes. "Learn English already." Robin stepped into the room and politely stood in the doorway.

"Dr. Scorpio-Drake, you are a few minutes late." Obrecht stood up to close the door.

"Well I was a patient and just got my release papers a few minutes ago." Robin pointed at the bandage on her forehead. "I came straight from my room." After a full workup, Robin had been kept in the hospital overnight for observation but her CT scans were clear and Marucci had seen no reason why she shouldn't be released.

"I can see that." Obrecht shut the door and went back to her desk. "So, what have you been up to?"

"A little of this, a little of that." Robin shook her head, she didn't believe for a second that Obrecht wasn't well aware of Robin's recent imprisonment. "I was kidnapped and forced to be the in-house doctor for Helena Cassadine and Jerry Jacks."

Obrecht looked down at her desk and began shuffling through some paperwork. "Yes, I believe I did hear something about that regrettable business."

"You must have let your subscription to the Legion of Doom newsletter lapse." Robin couldn't resist being a little snarky to the woman.

Leisel let the comment go. "Surely you didn't come here to relive old times."

Robin took a deep breath. "No, I want to talk to you about returning to General Hospital."

Patrick ran down the hall, hoping to get to the meeting to stop Robin from accepting any offer Obrecht had extended. His father had contacted him and the offer to both Patrick and Robin for the co-Chiefs of Staff position in Berkeley had been upped once more and, after last night, Patrick was going to suggest that they take it.

He would always have a soft spot in his heart for Port Charles, it was where he had met the love of his life, become a father and reconnected with his own father. It had also brought Matt into his life, the brother he had never thought he had wanted but there had also been years of pain and heartache. His wife had been kidnapped three times in the past four years, all by people who regularly came to this town. He had lost a son and thought he had lost his wife, both by violent means. It was time for him and Robin to start over and Port Charles was the last place they needed to be when they did it.

Robin's head turned when her once and future husband burst through the office door. Obrecht glared at the man. "What do you want?"

Patrick took his place by Robin's side. "I just wanted to see how things were going." He kept his voice calm, trying not to let his true feelings become apparent.

Obrecht walked over to the shut the door once more as she spoke. "It's just a shame that Dr. Scorpio-Drake cannot understand the current situation."

Even though Patrick wanted Robin to turn down the job he was still offended by her words. "And what situation is that?"

"We would be happy to have Dr. Scorpio-Drake back on staff."

"But…" Patrick knew that there was more to the story than Obrecht was saying.

Robin turned to him. "But I would have to take a cut in pay."

He was incredulous. "You've got to be kidding me."

"I don't kid Dr. Drake." Obrecht didn't understand the couple's feelings. "This hospital is on an austerity budget and new hires are not making what they once were."

"She's a proven asset not a new hire."

"Who has barely graced us with her presence in four years."

Patrick couldn't believe how easy Obrecht was making it for him and Robin to walk away from GH. "Because she was kidnapped and held hostage, something you know all about since you were one of the people who kidnapped her."

"Please Dr. Drake, water under the bridge. The hospital cannot be held responsible for the vagrancies of the doctor's personal lives."

"That's not all – Obrecht also said that there will be no research."

Patrick was absolutely dumbstruck at how truly short-sighted Obrecht was being. "Do you understand what you are doing here? She is a genius doctor – she would take this hospital to the next level."

"My offer stands." Obrecht headed to the office door. "If you think you can find something better, feel free to look." She opened the door. "Now, if you don't mind – I have other things to do. Please let me know by the end of the week what your decision is."

Patrick smirked at her. "Don't worry – you'll have your answer by the end of the day."

Robin heard the tone in his voice and realized that he had heard from his father again. "Yes you will."

They left the Obrecht's office and headed to Patrick's. They were no sooner in the door when she turned to her fiancée and smiled. "Noah?"

"Yep – they upped our starting salaries and the bonus." Patrick led her to the couch and sat down with her. "This is your decision – if you want to stay here and work at GH, I will understand but I think we need a new start as a family. Someplace without all the bad memories and constant reminders of the hell we have been through."

Robin considered what he was saying. "I think you are right – we need to leave Port Charles and the mobs and the spies and the Cassadines behind us. This is a great opportunity for both of us and we have family out there. Besides – I want to see the look on Obrecht's face when she realizes that she has just lost the best neurosurgeon in the country."

"Hey, we just did what she said – found something better." Patrick stood up and locked the door. "But before we leave, I do want one more consult at GH."

Robin winked at him. "Get over here Dr. Drake."