Chapter 22

"Epiphany?" Nikolas carefully approached the head nurse, trying not to appear too anxious.

"Yes Mr. Cassadine?" Epiphany smiled at the board member, trying not to lose her patience - she had work to do.

"Have you seen Dr. Scorpio? We were supposed to meet for lunch but she is not in her office." Nikolas was worried that Marcus had come and taken Robin out of the hospital.

Unfortunately, he was right. "Dr. Scorpio left about an hour ago with Dr. Banks."

"Damn it." Epiphany raised her eyebrows at him. "I'm sorry – thank you."

Nikolas walked quickly to the elevator – he needed to get back to Wyndamere as soon as possible.

"Sit down Robin."Marcus locked the door to his room after shoving Robin through the door. "We need to have a session."

Robin glared at him but sat down in the chair. The reality was that he was in charge and she knew it. Her captor had made it clear that she would only get to stay in Port Charles if she listened to Marcus so she did as she was told.

Marcus sat down across from Robin. "Close your eyes." Robin shut her eyes. "In a moment I'm going to relax you completely. In a moment I'm going to begin counting backwards from 10 to 1. The moment I say the number 10 you will allow your eyelids to remain closed. The moment I say the number 10, you will, in your mind's eye, see yourself at the top of a small set of stairs."

Robin did as she was told and imagined the stairs.

Marcus continued. "The moment I say the number 9, and each additional number, you will simply move down those stairs relaxing more completely. At the base of the stairs is a large feather bed, with a comfortable feather pillow. The moment I say the number one you will simply sink into that bed, resting your head on that feather pillow. Number 10, eyes closed at the top of those stairs. Ten ..."

Marcus watched Robin carefully – he could tell she was doing as she was told. "Nine, relaxing and letting go. Nine ..."

Robin's shoulders began to sag. "Eight, sinking into a more comfortable, calm, peaceful position ...Seven ... Six ... going way down ... Five ... moving down those stairs, relaxing more completely."

Marcus paused and, noting Robin's calm, steady breathing, began to smile. "Four ...Three ... breathe in deeply ..."

Robin did as she was told. "Two ... On the next number, number one, simply sinking into that bed, becoming more calm, more peaceful, more relaxed ... One ... Sinking into that feather bed, let every muscle go limp and loose as you sink into a more calm, peaceful state of relaxation."

Marcus took Robin's hand in his and held it. "Robin do you hear me?"

"Yes."

"Good – where are you right now Robin?" Marcus spoke softly to her.

"The bed, it's nice, soft, safe." Robin smiled.

"Good – you know the only reason you are safe is because of me. I protect you, no one else. Repeat that to me please."

"You protect me, no one else." Robin's voice wavered, almost like she was unsure.

"Robin," he tried to sound more reassuring, "I love you and I will protect you – no one else."

"You love me and protect me, no one else." Robin's voice was soft but surer.

"It is time for you to prove to me you believe it. Robin, I will be proposing to you tonight at dinner and you will say yes – do you understand me?"

Robin didn't answer him at first. "No, Patrick…"

"Robin, if you do not say yes Patrick will be hurt. Helena will hurt him." Normally, he wouldn't threaten Patrick. He needed her to trust him but time was running short and he was hoping that if he just planted the idea in Robin's subconscious than her response to his proposal would feel real to her and him. Marcus loved Robin so much and he would do anything to make her his forever.

"I will protect you and Emma but you have to marry me to do it. You love me Robin, you want to marry me and we will be happy together."

"I love you, I want to marry you and we will be happy together." Robin still didn't sound sure.

"Say it again." Marcus was gentle but firm.

"I love you, I want to marry you and we will be happy together." Robin sounded like she was starting to believe it and they continued this for an hour until Marcus was certain that Robin would do exactly what he wanted.

As soon as he was certain, he woke her up and smiled at her. "How are you feeling?"

Robin shook her head. She hated these sessions – she couldn't remember what happened during them and didn't feel quite like herself after. "I have a headache – I think I am going to go lay down."

Marcus smiled at her. "Why don't we lay down together in here?"

Robin smiled at him. "Ok."

Marcus helped her over to the bed and leaned over her as she laid down. He ran his hand through her hair and then kissed her. "I love you Robin."

He laid down next to her and pulled her close and she finally said the words he had been waiting to hear. "I love you too Marcus."

Nikolas came running in the house. "Alfred – where is Robin?"

"She went to Dr. Banks' room with him, something about a session. Dr. Banks asked that they not be disturbed."

"Son of a bitch." Nikolas ran up the stairs and began pounding on Marcus' door. "Robin!"

Marcus opened the door, his shirt off. "Robin is sleeping – we had a very long session and she is tired."

Nikolas looked in the room and saw Robin in a deep sleep under the covers. "What did you do to her?"

Marcus pushed Nikolas out the door and shut it behind him. "Robin is perfectly fine, in fact she is wonderful. You on the other hand, I think you need to be a little more vigilant – I left the hospital almost two hours ago with our little bird and you are just getting here? I think your grandmother would be very disappointed in your efforts to protect her."

Nikolas practically growled at the man. "What did you do to her?"

Marcus smirked at him. "Nothing she didn't want to do. Now if you don't mind, I would like to enjoy a little more time with the woman I love. We will see you at dinner."

Marcus turned around and went back in his room, locking the door behind him.

Nikolas felt sick to his stomach. Robin took making love very seriously and Nikolas didn't believe for one second that she would have slept with Marcus, at least not willingly.

Nikolas went back to his room and made a call. "This is Nikolas – we need to meet as soon as possible. It's about Robin."