Chapter 15

Patrick ran his pen along the bottom of Ellie's foot but there was still no reaction. Testing the reflexes at both her knees and her elbows, his heart sank a little more. It had been six days since her surgery and if her paralysis were a result of post-operative swelling it would have reduced by now. It was with great difficulty that he met her parents' hopeful faces.

"There is still no change" he said solemnly. "We'll do another MRI this afternoon and see if we can't gather any more information."

Ellie's father crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Dr. Drake - there has to be some reason as to why she can't move. How many more tests are you going to run before you finally just admit that you made a mistake and did something wrong?" he accused.

Patrick bristled. "Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, I truly do not know what is causing the paralysis. If I knew for certain that I had made a mistake in the OR, I would admit it and work at rectifying it but I can't start on the solution until I know what the problem is."

"What do you mean what the problem is? Look at her" he pointed to his sedated daughter. "She is paralyzed - she can't walk, she can't run. The surgery and the chemo may stop the cancer but I think being a quadriplegic is too high a price to pay."

"Mr. Matthews, I understand your frustration...."

"Do you? Do you Dr. Drake? Do you have a child?"

He nodded. "I have an eight-month old son."

"Is he paralyzed?"

"No."

"Then with all due respect Dr. Drake, you don't have a clue about my frustration."

"Jim, please" Mrs. Matthews interceded. It was clear to her that the unexpected turn in Ellie's condition was affecting the young neurosurgeon.

"Don't Jim please me Theresa. I want our daughter fixed and if he can't fix her then we will find a doctor who will."

"A second opinion is entirely your right" Patrick offered. "I would be happy to supply you with a list of excellent neurologists who could consult on Ellie's case."

"Like I'm going to take suggestions from you" he sniffed. "You'll just find someone who will help cover your ass."

"Mr. Matthews..."

"Her current round of chemo is over in three days. After that I want her moved to Mercy and away from you."

Patrick nodded and silently left the room. He headed straight to his office and threw her chart across the room. "Dammit!!" he yelled. In the course of his fast-track career he had yet to encounter a problem that he couldn't find the solution for and like most brilliant people, his frustration level ran high when he couldn't resolve a situation he felt he should be able to. He rested his hands on his hips and blew out his cheeks.

"Someone is not having a good day"

Patrick jumped and turned around. Seeing Robin sitting in his chair brought a grin to his face. "Why Dr. Scorpio, your first day back at work and you're already playing hooky?"

She smiled seductively. "I need a consult but perhaps we should talk about your anger management?"

He shook his head and walked to his desk. "I like your idea better. Tell me more about this consult you need?" Watching her stand up from his chair, his mouth fell open as he realized she was wearing her lab coat, her black heels and nothing else. He swallowed thickly as she walked to his door and closed it, turning the lock. "So about this consult?" he asked, his eyes darkening as she undid the buttons to her coat, revealing her red silk panties.

"The patient has been feeling unwell for quite some time" she said, walking towards him, her hips swaying.

"Wha...what are the symptoms?"

"She has aches in parts of her body and no matter what she does to try and take them away she doesn't seem to be able to do it on her own."

Sitting on the corner of his desk, he shifted uncomfortably. "Sounds like the patient needs a thorough examination."

Dropping her lab coat to the floor she smiled as his breath hitched. Taking his hand she led him to the couch and reclined against it. "Do you want me to show you where it aches?" Too turned on to speak all he could do was nod.

Robin took her breasts in her hands and massaged them gently. "It aches here" she purred. Sliding one hand down her torso and cupping her sex she kept her eyes locked on his. "And here."

Patrick's tongue darted out of his mouth to moisten his suddenly dry lips. "I think I might be able to help you with that." Shrugging off his coat, he began to unbutton his shirt, untucking it from his pants.

"Do you have all the equipment?" she teased with her eyes gazing at his now obvious erection. Unwilling to play any longer, Patrick nearly threw himself on her, seizing her lips. He kissed her hungrily, his tongue sweeping through her mouth. Robin pressed her body against his as she fisted his hair. The feel of her breasts against his bare chest elicited a moan from both of them. She pushed his shirt from his shoulders, tracing her hands over them as he assaulted her neck. Pushing her hair out of the way, he sucked on her ear lobe, workign his tongue on the sensitive skin just underneath. Lifting her hips from the couch she ground them against him.

"God!" he hissed feeling his arousal expand. Moving down her body, he massaged one breasts while lashing the other with his tongue.

"Oooh Patrick" Robin sighed wanting him to take more of her. As his tongue worked her nipple she felt the heat continue to pool between her legs. Patrick felt her dampness through her panties brush up against him and sucked in a breath. Her hands flew to his belt buckle and quickly removed it. She worked her tiny hands over his button and carefully unzipped his pants. Running her hands over his cottong boxers, she smiled into his shoulder ."I'm not the only one that's wet" she said huskily.

Standing up, he let his pants drop and stepped out of them. Robin sat up and took hold of his waistband and slowly slid his boxers down his legs. "God Robin, I feel like a teenager" he said throwing his head back as her hand wrapped around him and she stroked his length.

She grinned. "You feel like all man to me baby."

He closed his eyes and removing her hand dropped to his knees. He kissed her between her legs, over her underwear while he ran his fingers along her inner thighs spreading her legs further apart. "You are so beautiful" he said against her skin. Pushing her panties to the side, he dipped his head and ran his tongue along the entrance to her swollen slit.

"Fuck Patrick!" she said breathlessly, squirming under his touch. He slid two fingers inside her, moving them around as she bucked against his hand. Pushing his palm against her clit, the pressure nearly sent her over the edge. "Inside me" she panted "now." Continuing to pump his hand inside of her, he picked up his pants with his free hand and gave them to her so she could get the condom from his wallet. Fishing his wallet from his pocket, Robin allowed herself a small smile as she saw that he carried nearly half a dozen condoms with him. They had learned early in their relationship that only having one condom available was not a good thing. Tearing open the foil packet she held it up.

"Ready to cure my ache Doctor?"

Rising to his feet, Patrick stood in front of her with his hands on his hips and his cock jutting forward. Wrapping her hand around the base, she kissed his glistening head before sheathing him. Kneeling on the couch, he positioned himself at the entrance to her slick passage while Robin tossed her legs over his shoulders. Plunging into her they both gasped at the contact. Though they had made love early that morning before Robin left for her shift, he still could not get enough of her. He thrust heavily against her while she captured his lips, their tongues dueling with each other. Robin's release came quickly as she stilled and then shuddered while Patrick swallowed her cries. Feeling her tighten around him Patrick let go and came hard before collapsing against her.
Nuzzling his neck while they regained their breath, Robin let her legs slide from his shoulders. He nipped her lips several times before finally pulling out of her and gathering her in his arms. "Did I mention I like having you back at work?"

"I told you there would be benefits" she said sleepily. She laced her fingers through his. "Do you want to talk about what caused you to toss that chart across the room?"

He kissed her shoulder, breathing in her scent. "Ellie Matthews. Her parents are distraught and I have no answers."

"Have you asked your dad to look at the case?"

"No" he said quietly.

"Noah might have some advice" she said carefully. As close as the two Drake men had become over the last year, they were still fierce rivals in the professional arena and she knew that by going to him for an opinion Patrick would be forced to admit defeat on the case.

"I might" he said non-committally. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Well after I pick Rian up from daycare, I'm picking up Thai take out and Nathalie and Lulu are coming for dinner. I figured since you have to work until 9, it would give us a chance to do some girl talk. I still have to hear about this guy Lulu is dating."

"It'll be good for Nat to get out. She had the kids on the weekend and I didn't hear from her at all - I have no idea how that went."

"I'll do some gentle digging." Slowly extricating herself from his arms, Robin stood up and went to her clothes that were folded neatly on his chair. "I have to get back - ask your father for his opinion."

He smiled lazily as he watched her get dressed. He loved to watch her, memorizing how her breasts moved, how her hips swayed, the arch of her back. It was almost as if he was afraid he wouldn't get another chance to see her like that. "If I go see my dad, will I get another consult?"

Robin zipped up her skirt and leaning over, brushed her lips against his. "Yes - I think that could be arranged." Picking up her lab coat from the floor, she brushed the dust off before putting it back on. "I'll see you later tonight - I love you."

"Love you too" he said, sitting up and reaching for his boxers.

xxxx

Having spent another two hours reviewing Ellie's file, Patrick finally slammed it shut and decided that if he was going to get a second opinion, it might as well be his father's. Noah was off for the day but his apartment was a short ten minute walk from the hospital. Putting on his coat, he gathered up his files and headed off to see him.

As he climbed the five flights of stairs he reminded himself to suggest his father move to a building that had an elevator. Slightly winded, he stood outside the door and caught his breath. Ringing the bell, he nervously pulled on his coat collar.

"You better have brought back chocolate cake because I plan on eating the frosting right off of...." her voice stopped as she opened the door.

Patrick blinked several times and looked again at the apartment number thinking he was at the wrong place.

Dressed in nothing but one of Noah's scrub shirts, Brenda chewed her lip nervously. "Hi" she said in a small voice.

"Brenda?"