Chapter 2

"Robin, why don't you and Emma go outside and catch up – I'd like to talk to your ex-husband." He let go of Robin and smiled at Emma. "Does that sound good?"

Emma nodded and looked at her dad. Patrick saw the excitement in his daughter's eyes and couldn't tell her no. "Go ahead, I'll be out in just a minute."

Robin looked at her companion and then back at Patrick, convinced that leaving them alone together was a bad idea. The man smiled at her. "Trust me little Robin, I know what I am doing."

Robin took Emma's hand and left the two men glaring at each other. Patrick finally broke the silence. "I don't believe we have been introduced – Dr. Patrick Drake."

He held out his hand and the other man took it. "I am well aware of who you are Dr. Drake. Dr. Marcus Banks."

"Doctor, huh? Are you a researcher like Robin?" Patrick felt himself actively hating the man already and that thick southern drawl was not helping matters. Dr. Banks sounded like a refugee from a bad spaghetti western.

"A psychiatrist actually, which is why I want to speak with you." Marcus took a moment and studied the man standing opposite of him. "I have worked very hard to help Robin deal with her PTSD and I would really appreciate it if you didn't destroy her progress."

Patrick swallowed hard. "PTSD?"

"Yes, why else do you think she has stayed away? Robin came to Paris to see her old mentor, Dr. LeGrasse, and he asked me to help her." Marcus watched Patrick closely, trying to gauge the man's response. "What did you think she meant when she said she was broken?"

"She told you?" Patrick couldn't believe this was happening. "Why would she tell you?"

"Because I wanted to hear what she had to say." The man stepped closer to Patrick. "I was her doctor for a short time in Paris, helping her work through her PTSD among other things. Your ex-wife is a remarkable human being, so strong, so resilient and very beautiful."

Patrick studied Marcus up close. Like him, they both had dark hair and brown eyes and they were about the same height but while Patrick was tall and lanky, Marcus was tall and broad shouldered. Neither man was out of shape or fat and it was obvious to Patrick that Marcus was the kind of man who kept himself in great shape. He was also obviously infatuated with Robin.

"That hardly sounds like her doctor talking." Patrick didn't trust this guy at all.

"I said I was her doctor for a short time, until I realized I had feelings for her and did the right thing." Patrick gave Marcus a questioning look. "I referred her to a different doctor. After I released her as a patient, we started dating. I care very much for the former Mrs. Drake and have every intention of staying by her side for as long as I can. I also want to see her be able to reconnect with her daughter now that she is successfully managing her PTSD. Both of those things could be jeopardized by you." Marcus's glare never wavered while he was talking to Patrick.

"By me? What do you mean?" Patrick ran his hands through his hair and looked out into the hallway. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of Robin and Emma deep in conversation.

Marcus noticed and stepped in Patrick's line of sight. "I mean that Robin has finally accepted that your marriage is over and that you have moved on. It hurt her greatly that you moved on with her old boyfriends' widow but now she is concentrating her energies on rebuilding her relationship with her daughter. Robin has been asked to return to General Hospital and we are moving back to town."

"She agreed to work for Obrecht?" Patrick found it hard to believe Robin would willingly work for one of her captors.

"It is part of her healing process, a way of letting the past go. Nikolas has assured us that her exposure to the nefarious Dr. Obrecht will be kept at a minimum and she can concentrate on her research. All I am asking you to do is give her space and let her spend time with her daughter." Marcus wanted to make it clear that Robin was off limits to Patrick.

"Wait – Nikolas knew about this?" Patrick was getting more confused by this conversation as it went on.

"Yes – he even offered to let us stay with him while we searched for proper housing. So Robin and I will be staying at Wyndamere for the time being. I understand that Emma is quite familiar with the place."

Patrick cringed. "Yes, she was friends with Nikolas's son but she doesn't get along with him anymore." He didn't feel like getting into the whole Spencer mess.

"Well Spencer left last week to attend a boarding school abroad so he will not be an issue. I will let Nikolas know that Emma will be visiting her mother so that he can have a room ready for her." Marcus smiled at Patrick.

"If Emma wants to stay overnight with her mother I have no issue with it but I do have an issue with you. I don't know you from Adam and yet you are trying to tell me what to do with my daughter and how to act around my wife." Patrick was getting louder and various people, including Sam, heard every word of his last statement.

"You mean ex-wife, don't you?" Patrick had the decency to look chastised. "Dr. Drake, I would like to remind you that you have moved on so please do not be upset because Robin has as well. Now we are heading back to Wyndamere and we would love to have Emma come with us so she can have a proper reunion with her mother but if you are uncomfortable with that…"

Patrick interrupted him. "I will never be uncomfortable with my daughter spending time with her mother. Will Nikolas be there?"

"Of course."

"Then I will go say good night to my daughter and you can leave." Patrick trusted Nikolas to protect Robin and Emma.

"Very good." Marcus stepped aside and gestured to the hall. "Shall we?"

Patrick pushed past the man and headed out to say good night to his daughter and ex-wife.