Chapter Twenty-Eight:
Robin was lounging on the couch in Patrick's apartment while he went to buy some more packing boxes. It had been two days since their epic night and each night since had been better. She was having so much fun just being in the early stages of a relationship. It had been forever since she let herself do this and with Patrick, it just seemed like they had been together forever.
She was excited for him to move back with her. She knew he wanted to find his own place, and she supported that, not wanting to rush anything. She was just happy to have him close by. She stretched and sat up, knowing she had to take her meds. She grabbed the pills from her purse and her bottle of water and took them. She had brought her new cocktail and started the night before. She knew it was about to get really bad and she was happy she had brought her meds to help with her side effects. It was similar to the meds she had given to Patrick by IV, but she had a pill form for her. She needed to stick to a strict schedule or she would get really sick. She thought they were in her purse, but she realized she must have left them in the kitchen. She walked into the kitchen to get them and froze when she saw Gwen there. Worse, she was holding the bottle of pills.
"What the hell are you doing here? Did you break in? I'm calling the police," Robin said and went to grab her phone.
"I have a key and I let myself in. Patrick never minded and I've always been able to get rid of his trash," Gwen said as she sat down.
Robin glared at her.
"No witty comeback?" Gwen asked.
"Well, I don't want to confuse you because you seem to be on a roll. I figure I'll just let you get it all out. I don't really give a shit one way or the other," Robin said as she went to grab her meds.
Gwen watched her and moved away, keeping them out of reach.
"Give me my meds," Robin said. "I'm not playing games with you."
"How long have you been diseased?"
"How long have you been a prejudiced asshole?"
Gwen opened the meds and poured them in the sink. Robin stared at her but made no move. She wasn't going to stoop to her level, although her panic was coursing through her veins. These meds would take a few days to order.
"Did that make you feel better? Messing with my life is some kind of turn on?"
Gwen smiled and got up.
"What would happen if I told the hospital about what happened between me and Patrick?"
Robin felt a little off and she sighed.
"Just get out," she said and went to walk away when Gwen grabbed her arm and flung her around.
"Get your hands off of me," Robin said and yanked her arm away. She went to call the police.
"Patrick forced himself on me," Gwen said. "He almost infected me by making me touch his diseased body. He doesn't deserve to keep his medical license."
Robin felt sick, both from her growing headache and the filth Gwen was spewing.
"I'd like to report a crime," she said into the phone. "A woman has broken into my boyfriends apartment and she's threatening me."
Gwen smirked as Robin spoke on the phone.
"You shouldn't have done that," she said.
"Go to hell," Robin said and sat down on the chair in the kitchen, the room spinning.
"What's wrong with you? Are you faking it? Do you have AIDS?"
Robin glared at her.
"Are you an actual doctor who went to medical school? I mean, you can't be this much of a moron," she said.
"You don't know anything about me," Gwen said angrily.
"Really? You burst into my office and spewed your biased against helping someone with an autoimmune disorder. You then chased after Patrick when it was clear he wasn't interested. You threw yourself at him and then when he told you a personal fact about his life you threw it in his face. Now you break into his home and threaten me. Tell me what part of that I got wrong. Tell me where I got the wrong impression."
Gwen got into Robin's face and when she went to step back she stumbled and fell into the table. Gwen grabbed her roughly and pulled her up.
"You don't know anything about me. You think you're going to walk in here, into my life and steal everything? You preyed on the man I love and made him believe he is sick. You messed with his mind so he thinks his only option is someone like you, but that's where your evil will end. I'm going to save him. I'm going to make him love me," she said and Robin watched her almost transform into something absolutely crazy. She was afraid for her life.
"Gwen, this is absolutely ridiculous. I am not looking to steal anything. I didn't know you and Patrick were together. I'll just leave and you don't have to worry," Robin tried to pry her arm out of Gwen's grip, but she was possessed.
They heard the sirens coming and Robin was so glad. She shoved Gwen and was stunned when Gwen punched her, causing her to fall to the floor, her eyes seeing stars.
Gwen grabbed a knife and Robin looked at her, trying to focus.
"Gwen, please," she said as the blonde walked to her.
"I need to make it look like you tried to kill me," Gwen said.
"No, please don't do this. I don't want you to get my blood anywhere," she began to cry. "Please."
The police burst in and Patrick was right behind them. Gwen held the knife to Robin and the police pulled their guns.
"Drop the knife," one said.
Patrick was frozen when he saw the scene.
"Oh God, no, please," he said and looked at Robin. He could see she was in trouble and her temple had a dark bruise growing.
"Gwen, please let her go," he said.
"No. She poisoned you against me. She won't make you happy, Patrick. She can't be who you need," Gwen said and she turned to stab Robin when the police fired.
"Robin!" Patrick screamed and the police rushed over, kicking the knife away and moving Gwen over. She was dead from a gunshot to the head and the police went to Robin.
"No, please don't touch me," she said. "I am HIV positive."
The officers smiled warmly at her and nodded.
"We know. Your friend here talked our ear off about you while we waited to enter," the officer said. He looked at Patrick and motioned for him to come over.
"Robin?" he said as he rushed to her on shaky legs. "Are you okay?"
She looked at him and her tears fell.
"I'm okay. I need to call the pharmacy. She threw my meds in the sink and I don't think I'm going to be doing very well in a few minutes," she said and tried to get up, but her back hurt.
"She threw your meds away?" he asked brokenly. "I don't even know what to say," he held her face in his hands as she closed her eyes.
"Robin? Can you look at me?" he stroked her cheek.
"I don't feel right, Patrick. I need some help," she cried and he picked her up in his arms, carrying her out to the ambulance. He laid her on the gurney and the medics began to work on her.
"I'm so sorry," he said as he held her hand. "I love you so much."
She was out and the medics were working on getting an IV started. They rushed her into the ambulance and the police held Patrick back, needing him to answer some questions.
"No, please, I have to go with her," he said, in complete shock.
The officer nodded and he rushed into the ambulance with her. He wasn't leaving her side again.
XXXXX
Chapter Twenty-Nine:
Patrick sat next to the bed and held Robin's hand. He still couldn't wrap his mind around all that happened and how close he came to losing her. He was also struggling with being back here at this hospital. This was where he spent most of his professional career and where he left immediately after his diagnosis.
He looked at her and his heart broke. He had never been so completely in love with anyone before. What happened to her, in his home and because of him just shook him to the core. He couldn't allow her to be hurt again. Nothing was more important than her health.
"Patrick?" she asked as she opened her eyes.
"I'm here," he stroked her cheek and smiled. "How do you feel?"
She licked her lips and smiled.
"Like I was run over by a truck. What happened?"
"Aside from almost dying by a psycho I let into my life?"
"You didn't cause Gwen to be like that. She was troubled and it's too bad she never got the help she needed."
He smiled at her compassion.
"She was crazy. She tried to kill you and she almost succeeded."
"I'm still here and I'm not going anywhere. Besides, I just had the most amazing night with the man I love and I don't want that to be a one time thing."
He laughed and she reached up to his cheek.
"What did the doctor say?"
"Your viral load is higher than it should be, but I wasn't aware of what it was before, so I don't know how much worse it is. You're running a fever which is probably a result of the new cocktail you're on and the fact that you didn't get your meds because Gwen destroyed them. You also have a bruised kidney from what I imagine was Gwen slamming you into a table at my house," he stood up and paced.
"Patrick? Come here," she said softly.
He walked to the bed and his eyes were wet as he looked at her.
"What's wrong? I can see you're distracted."
He sighed.
"I'm just struggling with everything. I came here to end this chapter of my life and now I realize that's just not possible. Every place I go is a reminder of what I lost."
Robin sat up a little and faced him more.
"What do you mean lost? Are you changing your mind about leaving?"
He shook his head and stood up.
"No. I want to move and build a life in Port Charles. It's just that I really ran away from things and I guess I feel a bit like a coward. People here don't even know I tested positive."
She nodded.
"You need to do whatever it takes for you to have closure. Did you have mentors here? Maybe you can talk to them and let them help you. I would be happy to help you tell them. Maybe you should take some time and figure out what that is."
"I don't think that's the answer."
Robin was trying to follow his thinking, but she was struggling.
"Patrick? Look at me and tell me what you are struggling with."
He sat down and looked at his hands.
"I feel like your life has gotten infinitely worse since I met you. I don't know how to reconcile that. I think it's incredibly selfish that I have put you in this position and I am wondering if all of this is a sign."
She frowned as she listened to him.
"What are you saying?"
"I don't think we should see each other any more."
Robin was stunned.
"Oh," she said and her eyes filled with tears.
"It's just that I don't think any of this is real or lasting. I mean, think about it," he said. "Both of us are HIV positive. What does that mean for our future? What can we offer each other? It's not like we could have a normal life. I can't see us having children together."
"I see," she said. "I would like for you to leave now."
"Robin," he began and she sat up, her tears spilling over her cheeks.
"I love you and you said you loved me. I have never told another man those words and it's because I have always guarded my heart. I don't open myself up to hurt, but I really believed you were worth the risk. I am a very proud woman, Patrick, and I won't beg you to stay. Is this truly what you want?"
He wiped his face.
"Yes."
"Then get out of my room," she demanded. "Goodbye Patrick."
He sighed and finally met her gaze. Her eyes crushed him.
"I don't mean to hurt you," he said lamely.
"No worries. I'm good. Now leave me alone."
He nodded and got up, walking out and not looking back.
XXXX
Maxie rushed into the hospital room later that evening. She saw Robin standing by the window, looking out.
"Robin?" she said as she walked in.
Robin turned around and raced into Maxie's arms, stunning the younger woman. Robin never cried. She was the rock. She was everything.
"What happened?" Maxie asked her after Robin sat down. "Are you really sick? Is your health worse?"
"No. I did something really stupid, Maxie. I need you to help me," she said and wiped her eyes.
"Okay. Where's the body? I'll take care of it."
Robin looked at her and Maxie grinned.
"It's not like I wouldn't do that for you."
Robin smiled for the first time all day and she hugged Maxie again.
"Can you take me home? I'll have my car brought later but I need to go home now."
Maxie smoothed Robin's hair back and smiled.
"Of course."
"I need to go to the hospital, but it needs to be where I feel safe and where they know me. Dante can help me and I can beat this, but I need to get out of here and away from this."
"From Patrick, you mean?" Maxie said softly.
"I'm so stupid, Maxie. I should never have let myself fall for him," she cried again.
Maxie hugged her and nodded.
"He's a man, Robin. They are all dicks."
Robin laughed and sat back as she sniffed.
"That's eloquent."
"Am I wrong?"
"No," she said. "I'm just so tired."
"Then let's go home. He's simply not worth it."
Robin let her help her into the wheelchair and Maxie pushed her out to the car.
She still believed he was worth it.
That needed to stop.