Chapter 5

"But why can't you take me?" Emma stomped her foot and stuck out her lip, imitating her father's pout perfectly.

"Because I have some things to take care of here and Nikolas is already going into town." Robin knelt down next to her daughter and smiled. "The sooner you get there and get packed, the sooner you get back here."

Robin had spoken to Patrick this morning and asked to have Emma stay with her for the weekend. Patrick had been surprisingly reasonable about it and even offered Robin Monday since Emma didn't have school. Nikolas had overheard her on the phone and offered to take Emma and bring her back so Robin didn't have to see Sam in Robin's house.

Emma considered what her mom was saying and grabbed Nikolas's hand. "Let's go."

Robin laughed as Emma dragged Nikolas out of the house and towards the launch. She headed back into the living room and sat down to read a book when she heard Marcus walk in. "How did I do last night?"

Marcus sat down and took her hand in his. "You were wonderful. Your ex-husband on the other hand…"

"What do you mean? He let me keep Emma." Robin's voice was hopeful but Marcus quickly squashed that.

"For now, but what happens the next time someone tries to hurt you? Patrick will stop Emma from being with you." Marcus saw the tears forming in her eyes. "I'm not trying to hurt you but the truth is that he turned his back on you. I was the one who saved you and brought you back to your daughter."

He stood up and held out his hand. "I think we need to have a session."

Robin shook her head. "No, I'm fine. You're right – you saved me."

Marcus didn't drop his hand. "Robin, do you trust me?"

Robin closed her eyes and sighed. "You know I do."

"Then come with me. I am trying to protect you from Patrick and all the other people who ignored your cry for help. I don't think you are quite ready to deal with them yet, at least not until we have a few more sessions." Marcus stared Robin straight in the eyes. "Take my hand."

Robin stood up and took Marcus's hand. He smiled at her and led her to his room for their session.

_

Patrick ran to the door as soon as it opened, expecting to see Robin and Emma standing there. Emma ran in and jumped on her Dad. "Daddy! I had so much fun with Mommy. She and I talked and ate fudge mocha ice cream bars and had a slumber party."

Patrick smiled at her. "Good to hear." He looked at the door. "Where is your Mommy?"

"She stayed at Wyndamere." Nikolas walked in and smiled at Emma. "Sweetie, why don't you go pack your bag – I need to talk to your Dad for a minute."

Emma giggled, climbed out of her dad's arms and headed to her room to get ready for her weekend with her mom. Patrick waited until she was out of earshot and then glared at Nikolas. "Where is she?"

"Like I said, Robin is at Wyndamere. I was coming to town to run a few errands and offered to bring Emma by to get her things." Nikolas stayed in the doorway.

"Is she avoiding me?" Patrick had thought they were getting along decently on the phone a little bit ago, all things considered.

"Maybe she just isn't ready to see you living with another woman in her house." Nikolas took a step inside the door so he could close it behind him. "I love Sam but how could you move her in here so soon?"

"What are you talking about? Sam and I have known each other for years." Patrick didn't know why he was getting defensive – Robin had left him.

"But you just started dating months ago. Look, I want Sam to be happy, but Robin is my friend and has done a lot for me including reuniting me with my son. I need to protect her and I will."

Patrick ran his hands through his hair. "How did you even get involved in this Nikolas?"

"I used to visit Robin in Paris when she was working there and I became friends with Dr. LeGrasse. When Robin got to Paris, she went to see him. He saw the state she was in and, after hearing that you had turned your back on her, he called me. We decided not to say anything until Robin was ready to come home." Nikolas stood his ground.

Patrick began pacing the room. "And you didn't think to tell her husband or her mother what was going on?"

"You mean the same ex-husband and mother who ignored her cries for help? Yes, I did but I thought it was best for Robin not to tell you and Marcus agreed."

Patrick stopped; the words Nikolas had just said hit their mark. "I…"

"Ready to go?" Emma carried her suitcase out and smiled at Nikolas.

He took the suitcase from her. "I'll put this in the car while you tell your Dad goodbye, okay?"

Nikolas left the house and Emma gave her Dad a hug. "I love you Daddy. I'll see you on Monday."

Patrick gave her an extra hug and then let her go. "I love you too. Be good for Mommy."

"Of course I will." Emma ran out the door to Nikolas and his car. "Bye Daddy."

Patrick watched her get in the car and then shut the front door. He walked over to desk and pulled his and Robin's wedding picture out of the drawer he had put it in before Sam had moved in. He hated that Nikolas knew more about what his wife, no his ex-wife, was going through than him. He hated that she had been in hell and he had done nothing to help.

What he hated most was seeing Robin with another man. He pulled out his computer and decided to see just what he could find out about the illustrious doctor.