Chapter 28

I close my eyes and I think of all the things I want to see
I know now that because I've opened up my heart, anything I want can be

Patrick stared at his computer, shaking his head. It shouldn't have surprised him, his friend was nothing if not predictible. He scanned the email from Eric a second time.

Pantsy -

Just a gentle reminder that we have an appointment on Tuesday in my office. Come up Monday night and we'll grab dinner at Ruby Foo's, I'm craving coconut sticky rice. Glad to hear the steroids are working but you and I both know it's only treating a symptom - we need to treat the problem and we will, I promise.

And now a not so gentle reminder that you promised you would tell Robin after the Nurses Ball - which is tonight if I recall. Wish Robin luck, enjoy the night and then tomorrow, make sure you do what you promised me you would or I will kick your ass from here to Vermont.

See you Monday.

Big E.

Checking the time on his watch he jumped to his feet, slamming shut his laptop. He still needed to shower and dress before heading over to Robin's. He pulled his tuxedo from his closet, tossing it on the bed. The red and gold ribbon surrounding the box placed on the corner of his desk caught his eye as he rushed towards the bathroom. He paused for a moment and lifting the box trailed his finger along it. The necklace was a sign of a future for him - a future he wanted to share with Robin. Returning the box to the desk, he raced to the shower.

"Stop looking at me like that, taunting me," Robin said as she brushed her hair. The pages of her speech lay spread across her bed as she continued to run through it while getting ready. "We're going to be fine." She groaned. "I'm talking to paper - I am talking to paper. Someone needs to lock me up."

Standing still, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath in an effort to quiet her mind. Her dry run of her speech at the support group had been met with an almost overwhelmingly passionate response. So many of the group members thanked her for voicing what they had yet to do in their own lives. Their support and approval had done much to bolster her confidence and as the event had approached she was more sure of what she was doing than she had been of any other speech she had given. But now, mere hours from the ball, the butterflies in her stomach were flying in formation.

"I can do this" she said, eyes still clenched shut.

"Haven't you heard Dr. Scorpio? You can do anything."

The rich timbre of Patrick's voice instantly twitched her mouth into a smile and she exhaled quietly before turning around. Her breath hitched as she saw him leaning against the door frame, his tuxedo jacket laying perfectly against his broad shoulders. His black silk tie only emphasized the athletic leaness of his frame and her tongue darted from her mouth in an appreciative lick of her lips.

"H-hi" she stammered, still appreciatively appraising him.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, his dark eyes twinkling mischeviously.

"Why?"

"Because you look like you're about to eat me," he replied with a grin.

Walking to him, she stood on her tiptoes and pulled at her lips with his own. "Play your cards right and I just might."

"Later tiger - you still aren't dressed and we need to leave in half an hour."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Crap! Okay - you, out! Go sit out there and stop distracting me with your hotness. I'll be out in a minute."

"Distracting you with my hotness?" he drawled.

"Just go" she groaned, pushing him out the door and kicking her bedroom door shut behind her.

Laughing, Patrick headed for the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he retreived a bottle of water and walked to the couch. Shimmying out of the wool tuxedo jacket, he laid it carefully on the arm of the chair before sitting down. Holding his hand out in front of him, he looked for any signs of his tell tale tremors and finding none, allowed himself a small smile. Intellectually he knew Eric was right, that he would have to pursue other treatment at some point. But for the moment he felt fine - he felt like himself and he didn't want to spend another minute worrying about what may happen.

Reaching for his jacket, he pulled the neatly wrapped box from the and set it on the coffee table. Tonight was about Robin. Tonight was for Robin. It was just less than a year since she had barged into his life, yet he felt closer to her than he had to almost anyone else in his life. Even his early attempts to keep her at a distance were half-hearted. Some could say it was timing, that at 30 years of age it was simply time for him to have a relationship but he knew differently. He knew that it was her brown eyes - thoughtful and honest; it was her smile - genuine and warm; it was her heart - compassionate and giving; it was her spirit - indominitable and strong; and it was her body - inviting and exciting. It was all of her. She was a force that he was unable and unwilling to resist.

"How do I look?"

Looking up from the couch, his breath hitched and his heart hammered loudly. "W-w-wow" he stammered, rising unsteadily to his feet.

"So I look okay?" she asked teasingly.

Patrick shook his head as she twirled slowly before him. The dark raspberry coloured strapless dress stopped just above her knee. It skimmed her curves and as he reached out his hand, tracing her tiny waist, he thought he had never seen a more beautiful sight in all of his life.

"Okay doesn't quite cover it" he replied rather breathlessly. "That dress - you in that dress - should be illegal." Cupping her face, he kissed her gently taking care not to smudge her makeup. "Do you feel ready?"

She nodded as she smoothed her hair. His reaction had been better than she had hoped for. When shopping for the dress she had wanted to find a show stopper - for Patrick. It mattered little to her what others thought but she wanted to show him how he made her feel - how his love made her feel desirable and sexy and womanly in ways that she had not before.

"It's possible we may be the best looking couple there" she said with a giggle.

He shook his head. "Who in the hell is going to notice me?" he asked. "You are going to blind the room. I may have to bring my hockey stick to beat off the men."

"No worries, baby. You're the only man I want."

Tipping her chin upwards, he brushed his lips against hers. "Say that again" he demanded with a whisper.

Curling her fingers through his belt loops, she pulled him closer to her and smiled. "You are the only man I want.'

"I have something for you" he said, stepping away from her before he gave into his urge to scoop her up and carry her back to her bedroom. He handed her the box.

"What is this?" she asked looking from the box to him.

"It's called a gift" he snarked teasingly. "And generally you are expected to open it to find out what's in it."

She playfully swatted his chest. "You didn't have to do this."

"I know - I wanted to."

She pulled gently at the bow and slid the paper from the box. Prying open the black leather case, she stared in disbelief at the necklace nestled against the velvet. Patrick shifted nervouly from one foot to the other. It hadn't occurred to him until that very moment that she might not like it - that he might not know her taste. A lump was forming in his throat.

"P-Patrick -it's...oh...it's gorgeous," she whispered.

"Do you really like it?" he queried quietly.

She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I have wanted a claddagh for so long. Brenda and I went to Dublin on a holiday and when she saw how much I loved the symbol she told me I should buy something. But I told her that I didn't want to buy it for me - I wanted someone to give it to me. How - how did you know?"

He licked his lips. "I didn't. But I saw it and immediately thought of you. I wanted you to have it tonight because I want you to know how proud I am of you - how much I love you and how much I admire you."

Her hand shook slighty as she extended the box to him. "Will you put it on me?"

Swallowing thickly, he nodded. Pulling the chain from the box, he draped it around her neck and fastened the clasp. She turned around and smiled.

"How does it look?"

"Like you were meant to wear it" he confirmed.

She took hold of his tie and pulled him to her, kissing him hotly - makeup be damned. She loved him like no other. He was her first adult love and with any luck would be her last as it was hard to imagine that anyone would ever make her feel like he did.

"I love you" she said against his mouth.

With a wink, he reached for his jacket and held out his hand to her.

"Let's go dazzle them with your beauty and your brains."