Chapter 5


The next morning Robin approached the Quartermaine mansion. She had
meant to visit earlier, she had been busy but in truth Robin had been
putting this visit off. As much she loved Lila and the rest of the
family, they were hard to take when they congregated together in a small
place. Even a mansion was a small space when it came to the Quartermaine
family.

Edward swung open the front door with an enormous scowl on his face.
When he saw Robin standing in front of him however his face took on an
abrupt change.

Edward: Robin, dear come in, come in. I'm sorry I have no idea why I put
up with Reginald. He never works. REGINALD!

Robin: Edward it's okay really, don't worry about it.

Edward ushered Robin into the den and sat down beside her.

Edward: Now dear, how long are you in Port-Charles for?

Robin: I'm home for good.

Edward: I can't tell you how pleased I am to hear that. Your not back
with that criminal are you?

Robin: No I'm not with Jason.


Robin knew people who loved Jason were offended by the way Edward talked
about Jason, but she was not one of them. Edward could make her angry
sure, but she knew underneath he had been extremely hurt by Jason, he
still was. Edward had never taken rejection well and this was no
exception.

Robin: Is Lila here?

Edward: Yes, she's upstairs and if that butler of ours, if you can even
call him that would stop flirting with that nanny maybe some work would
be done around here.  REGINALD!

Reginald poked his head into the den just as Edward had finished
berating him, for now anyway.

Reg: You bellowed?

Edward: There you are, go inform Lila that Robin is here to see us.

Reg: Sure thing, Hi Robin.

Robin: Hi Reginald.


Robin sat there trying her best to politely listen to Edward's
ramblings. She wasn't doing a very good job though and found herself
tuning out, like she had been doing a lot lately.

Lila: Edward leave the poor girl alone, she doesn't want to hear about
business. Now Robin darling, come here and let me take a look at you.

Robin got up and walked towards Lila, hoping Lila wouldn't see through
her thin disguise.  She didn't want to upset Lila like that.

Lila looked at Robin for a few minutes before nodding to herself and
smiling brightly at Robin.

Lila: You look lovely dear,

Edward: Of course she does. She's home for good no more of this,
traipsing all around Europe. She's home, right where she should be,
don't you agree my dear?


A.J. and Emily had been on their way out, taking Michael to the park.
After A.J. found out about Carly and Jason sleeping together fallen off
the wagon, but Emily had been there for him threw the whole thing. She'd
apologized for choosing between him and Jason, taking sides. Emily was
still close to Jason, she no longer thought he was a God though. She
still didn't put up with anyone talking badly about him, but now Emily
defended A.J. just as much, and she actually thought before defending.
She didn't have blind faith. In short Emily had grown up a lot and in
turn her and A.J. had grown very close.

They turned to each other recognizing Robin's voice, both quickly headed
for the den, Michael in tow.

Emily: Robin? Oh my God. Hi,

Emily walked over to Robin and embraced her in a warm hug.

Robin: Hey Emily, WOW, you look great. 

Emily: Thanks,

Robin looked over at A.J. who had Michael in his arms. She smiled
apprehensively remembering the last time they saw each other.

Robin: A.J. 

A.J.: Robin, I heard you were back.

Robin: How are you? 

A.J.: Good.

Robin: How have things been?

A.J. looked at Robin quizzically, 

A.J.: You haven't heard what happened with Carly?

Robin: No, what?


Lila: Edward, come on let's leave the young people to talk. Robin, you
must come to tea, we'll sit in the rose garden.

Robin: That sounds wonderful.

Edward: I'm going to hold you to that young lady.

When both Edward and Lila had left the den Emily turned to A.J.

Emily: How bought I take Michael to the park so you two can talk?

A.J.: Thanks, Em

A.J. handed Michael to Emily.

Emily: Robin, it was so good seeing you, we should get together and do
something.

Robin: Lois and I are going into New York for the day soon, I'm not sure
when but your welcome to join us.

Emily: Really? That would be great. I'll see you guys later.

Emily turned and left with a very anxious Michael.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


A.J.: So I got sober again I threw Carly out and got full custody of
Michael. She stayed with Bobbie for a while, since she didn't sign a
pre-nup she had plenty of money. Without Michael or Jason holding her
here she took off. She's sends Michael stuff all the time, but we don't
really hear from her.

Robin sat in a stunned silence, she didn't know weather to congratulate
A.J. on having Carly out of his life or to say how sorry she was that he
had to go through all of that.

Robin: I don't no what to say. I'm glad you have your son A.J. and I'm
sorry about lying, I'm sorry you went through all of this.

A.J.: I'm not, 

A.J. saw the look Robin gave him when he said that and he let out a
laugh.

A.J.: No, listen, I'm not glad about not having Michael for the first
year of his life. The rest though, I'm so much stronger than I was. I
don't work at ELQ anymore, even though Grandfather offered me back my
position after I won custody. I actually started my own P.R. firm, I
still live here, but I don't let people berate me any more.

Robin: Wow, you're own firm.

A.J.: Well Nikolas and I actually.

Robin: Cassidine?

A.J.: Yeah,

A.J. laughed again at how surprised Robin looked.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Sonny was sitting in what had originally been Stone's room. He face was
unshaven and he hadn't been out of his penthouse in days. All he could
think about was Robin, Robin and Stone. He remembered how sick Stone had
been. He didn't want Robin to go through that. Stone and Robin were such
good souls; it should be jerks like him that had to die such a horrible
way. But Sonny's punishment was watching everyone and everything around
him be destroyed. The worst part though was that Sonny was ultimately
responsible for his loved ones death and destruction because that's what
Sonny Corinthos did best, destroy.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That night Mac made his famous Scorpio Spaghetti. Maxie was glowing;
she'd been on the pone with her friends all day. Robin was curious about
how things had gone but she wanted to wait till they were alone to find
out everything. 


Later on Robin was sitting in her room writing in her journal about her
day with Q's. She looked up when she heard a knock on the door.

Robin: Come in,

The door opened and Maxie appeared.

Maxie: Hey
 
Robin: Hey you get over here, details. 

Maxie laughed and climbed on Robin's bed next to her.


Robin couldn't help but smile at how excited Maxie looked, but it was
bittersweet, she remembered that excitement and the innocence that went
with it. It hadn't been all that long ago that she'd been going through
the same thing. Robin listened to Maxie talk about the dance, Sean, the
dresses, Sean, her friends and Sean again. Robin really was listening
but at the same time another part of her was reliving her own memories,
those feelings, she could feel Stone with her, smiling at the same
memories. She always felt him with her, but even more so when she let
herself revel in her memories of him.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The next day Liz was on her break and was sitting at one of the tables
in Kelly's with Emily.

Liz: So do you want to do something tonight?

Emily: Aren't you suppose to be doing something with Jason tonight?

Liz: He can't, Sonny is in pretty bad shape and he doesn't want to leave
him.

Robin: What?

Robin had stopped in at Kelly's to grab some tea, anything to settle her
stomach. She'd just been walking past Emily and Liz's table when she had
heard what Liz said.

Robin: What happened to Sonny?

Robin was still mad at Sonny, well to be truthful, she was more hurt
than angry. That of course didn't stop her worrying instincts from
kicking in if he or Jason was in trouble.

Liz looked at Robin uncomfortably, she glanced at Emily and when Emily
silently nodded that it was okay she sighed.

Liz: Sonny's in another one of his moods, he gets them once and a while.
He doesn't leave his penthouse for day's even weeks you know about his
moods don't you?

Robin nodded sadly, boy did she know. Robin thanked Liz and said
good-bye before heading straight for her car. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

About 20 minutes later Robin made her way off the elevator at Harbour
View Towers, trying to ignore the memories of the last time she was
here.  Robin approached the penthouse door and as she expected Johnny
stepped in her way.

Robin: Hi Johnny, I need to see Sonny.

Johnny: He doesn't want to see anybody.

Robin stared at Johnny, trying to figure out the best way to go about
this.

Robin: Look Johnny, I know what Sonny's like when you don't follow
orders but I promise you he'll see me.

Johnny looked at Robin; he finally relented and went in the penthouse.
He came out a few minutes later letting her pass him.

Robin was taken back by the condition of Sonny's penthouse. It looked
like a tornado had hit it. She looked around and finally saw Sonny
sitting on the couch. He looked up at her, smiling sadly.

Sonny: What's up sweat heart?

Robin stared at the man before her. He looked like complete crap. She
knew exactly what he was doing. Maybe he'd been able to get away with it
before, Lily, Stone and Brenda were all dead. But she sure as hell
wasn't and she would be dammed if she was going to let him make her one
of his ghosts.

Robin: WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?

Chapter 6

Sonny was surprised by how angry Robin seemed.

Sonny: What’s got you so upset?

Robin: You, Mr. Sonny Corinthos. Why do you think
you’re responsible for all things?

Sonny: Robin, what are you talking about?

Robin: You blame yourself for Lily’s death. Don’t you?

Sonny didn’t say anything; he just stared down at the
floor.

Robin: DON’T YOU?

Sonny: YES, the bomb was meant for me, not her.

Robin: And Brenda, let me guess, if you’d never left
her she wouldn’t have died. 

Sonny just continued staring into space.

Robin: And we can’t forget about Stone, if you’d
rescued him from the streets sooner he never would
have gotten aids. Then of course there’s me, if Stone
never had aids I wouldn’t have it.

Robin stared at Sonny long and hard.

Robin: I see your problem sonny, everything’s your
fault. 

A few tears had started to fall down Sonny’s cheeks.

Robin: I’m not going to let you pull this shit with me
Sonny. You could get away with it from Lily, Brenda,
and Stone, but I am still alive. I’m not going to be
your victim. Stone and I made a choice, I regret
getting the virus, I regret having unprotected sex but
I will never regret falling in love with that perfect
man and showing him how much I loved him. I will be
damned if I’m going to let you think of me the way you
think of them. I’m human, I make mistakes, everybody
does. Including you Sonny. What are you going to do
when I die? Are you going to sit in this penthouse and
wallow in self-pity? Do you think that’s what I’ll
want you to do? Do you think that Stone or Lily or
Brenda would want that? I f Brenda was alive she’d
kick your butt and you know it.

Sonny looked up and saw Robin staring at him. He
looked at her, really looked at her. She was his
little sister, she always would be and he had treated
her like crap.

Robin got up and sat down beside Sonny. She knew it
would take a while for him to come out of his
depression even with her talking to him. You didn’t
just snap out of it.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Robin awoke finding herself next to Sonny; he though
seemed to still be sleeping. Robin glanced at her
watch and saw it almost 9:30. Mac was probably going
insane. Robin sighed; she had to go Mac had been
extremely nervous where Robin was concerned. With good
reason. Robin tried to quietly get up without waking
Sonny.

Sonny: You leaving?

Robin: Yea, it’s late. Look Sonny I know your sorry
for the way you acted but that doesn’t make the hurt
go away. What happened was between Jason and I and the
fact that you took sides... But I am not going to put
up with this, you can’t blame yourself for every bad
thing that happens in this town. If you do that then
your even less of the person I thought you were. I
love you, even when you’re a complete jerk.

Robin grabbed her purse and left. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It hadn't surprised her that she'd fallen asleep so
easily, she'd been doing that a lot lately. It was
like her energy was slowly being sucked away. Robin
pulled into Uncle Mac's driveway, there was a new car
parked outside on the street, right in front of the
house, someone had obviously come over. 

Robin was glad if Uncle Mac was busy with who ever was
over, he might not ask her where she'd been, she
didn't want to fight about Sonny. Besides it wasn't
like she was going to start being around him again.
Robin didn't see the point of fighting if it was for
nothing. Robin let herself into the house and was
immediately taken back by the voices that filled the
room. 

Robin: Uncle Sean?

Sean turned from where he was standing and upon seeing
Robin his face broke into a huge smile.

Sean: Robin, come here, by God you've grown.

Robin immediately headed for her Uncle Sean's arms.
Sean hugged her tight noticing right away how thin and
frail she was. Sean pulled away and looked at her
again. He could see in her eyes that something was
wrong, he glanced at Mac and saw a look of fear in his
eyes.

Robin: It's so good to see you, Is Tiffany here too?

Sean: No, she's at home with the midget. She is going
to come next time.

Robin couldn't help but feel disappointed. It would
have been really good to see Tiffany.

Sean saw how disappointed Robin seemed.

Sean: Hey she'll come out soon, I promise.

Robin put on a smile and looked at him.

Robin: So what brings you out here? Something big
going on at the WSB?

Sean: No, your Uncle here called last week and told me
it was time I came down for a visit. Tiffany's parents
were visiting so I figured now was as good a time as
any.

Sean stopped talking when he saw the look Robin was
giving Mac, she looked furious.

Robin looked at Sean and sighed.

Robin: Do you mind if I talk to Mac for a minute
alone? We'll be right back.

Robin walked over to her Uncle and practically dragged
him into the kitchen. 

Robin: How could you do that?

Mac: Robin, I figured you'd want to see him. What's
the problem? 

Robin: The problem is that I'm having a hard enough
time acting normal around everyone as it is. If I
wanted Uncle Sean to know I would have called him.

Mac: Robin, I have to tell you, I understand how scary
this is for you but I don't understand why you won't
tell people. Everybody in this town loves you and
would want to be there for you. Sean is like an Uncle
to you, he was close to your father and I'm know he'd
want to be here for you, we all want to be here for
you. Why won't you let us?

Robin: I don't know, god, I'm surprised you didn't
call Frisco.

Robin's mouth dropped when she saw Mac's face.

Robin: You didn't?

Mac: He's on assignment, he'll be here as soon as he
can.

Robin: You act as if I'm going to die tomorrow.

Mac: And you act as if you have forever, didn't you
come home so you could spend time with the people you
love?

Robin: I did... I am.

Mac: Don't the people you love deserve to know what's
going on? Robin, I know this is hard for you, but for
someone who has always been so mature, I'm really
surprised.

Robin stared at her Uncle, she knew he was right. She
remembered how Stone had been afraid to tell people,
he hadn't been sure of their reactions. Robin
remembered how she had not understood that. She knew
what people's reaction would be, they would respond
with love. 

Robin: I don't want to admit it, I know it's stupid,
I'm stupid. I thought I'd know exactly how to deal
with everything, how to act, how to make a graceful
exit. I don't know anything. The more people I tell,
the more real it becomes.

Mac looked at his niece, he would give anything if he
could fix this, but he couldn't and that was that. All
Mac could do was be there for Robin and try and help
her as best as he knew. That's what Robert and Anna
had wanted him to do, although they hadn't imagined it
in this sense. Mac had no clue how to act either but
he did know that Robin needed all the people she loved
around her. Even if she didn't know that he knew that.
And he was going to make sure that happened.

Mac brought Robin into his arms and held onto her, he
never wanted to let go, but he had to it was that
simple. No, he thought nothing was simple, not
anymore.

When Mac released Robin from the hug she could see
that he had tears in his eyes. She nodded up at him,
took his hand and led him back to the living room.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sean had known something was up when Mac had called
him, he’d been even more convinced when he’d first
seen Robin, but now when he saw Robin and Mac come out
of the kitchen he had never been more certain of
anything in his life. Mac had tears in his eyes and
Robin had tears streaks down her face. It was hard to
imagine what could be this horrible.

Sean: For God’s sake you two, what’s wrong?

Robin looked at Mac, still scared not of what Sean’s
reaction would be, just of what it all meant. Mac
nodded reassuringly and sighed. He screwed up a lot
with Robin, when Robert and Anna died he hadn’t know
how to raise a teenager. He still didn’t but as much
as he had screwed up in the past he was not going to
now. He would do this right and be there for her every
step of the way.

Sean was losing his patients but more important he was
getting scarred. Not nervous or even the regular
scarred that people feel everyday, but the kind of
scarred that you only feel a few times in your life.
When something is really really wrong.

Sean: I’m not moving until you tell me what’s going
on.

Robin sighed.

Robin: Uncle Sean, Sit down it’s a long story.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

By the time Robin and Mac had explained what was going
on, Robin was about to drop, she could see though that
this conversation was far from over.

Robin: I’m going to go to bed. I’m beat.

Sean looked up at her; he’d aged years in the past
hour. He hadn’t known any of this; it was his own
fault. He hadn’t kept in touch like he said he would.
He’d promised he would and now look what happened. 

Sean: Night sweetheart, get some rest.

Sean was trying to sound as normal as possible, Robin
after all was a grown woman, but in so many ways she
was still that little girl that he had know all those
years ago. Robin smiled down at Sean, she felt bad for
him, all this information to take in at once. That was
her fault she supposed she should have called him long
ago.

Mac: Night,

Robin made her way up the stairs and into her bedroom,
barely having the energy to change, but she did. As
she closed her eyes she realized she felt relieved at
having told someone, someone she really cared about.
She was still scared, but not of what people would say
or do, she was afraid of admitting it because that
meant it was closer. It wasn’t death that scared
Robin; she had too many people she loved waiting for
her. What really terrified Robin was going through the
pain and heartache she’d seen Stone go through. She
didn’t want to go through that but more than anything
she didn’t want to put the people she loved through
that.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Robin awoke the next morning knowing she had a lot to
do. First on her list was to go see Luke after her
scene last at the club he was probably worried sick.
Robin got ready trying to ignore her tiredness. By the
time she got downstairs Felicia had already left to
take the girls to school and Mac and Sean were sitting
at the kitchen table talking over coffee. Of course,
Robin absently noticed their conversation came to an
abrupt halt when she walked into the kitchen.

Robin: Morning,

Mac: Morning, 

Sean: Morning,

Robin: Did you two get any sleep last night?

Mac and Sean looked at each other guiltily; they had
been up all night talking.  They talked about a lot of
things, Robert, Anna, but mostly Robin.

Robin: I thought so.

Mac: What do you have planned for today?

Robin: I have to go visit Luke, and I have a few
errands to run.

Mac: Why do you have to see Spencer?

Robin: Mac it’s no big deal, I just have some things
to talk to him about.

Mac sighed he did not like Luke Spencer, he knew he
had been Robert’s best friend but he was dangerous. 

Mac: Can I make you some breakfast?

Robin: No, I’m not that hungry.

That was part of the reason but more to the point,
Robin knew if she ate anything right now, it would not
stay down.

Robin: I should be home early. I’ll be here for
dinner.

Sean: I’ll see you later then, okay

Robin nodded and gave both men a hug before leaving.


After Robin left Sean turned to Mac, 

Sean: Did you notice the bruises?

Mac: Those were lesions, Sean. 

Mac had recognized them right away, they were barely
there, which is why they almost looked like bruises. 
At least to someone who had never seen a lesion
before.  A depressed silence fell on the two men.

Sean: I’m going to call Tiffany, get her to come up
for a visit.

Mac: I think that’s a good idea.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Robin had stopped at Luke’s house; he had all ready
left though, apparently on his way to fir Claude.
Robin had chatted with Laura for a few minutes. She
told her how sorry she was to here about Lucky. Robin
knew how it was to lose someone you loved. Although,
Robin did recognize the fact that it was very
different, losing a child was unlike anything else.

Robin made her way into Luke’s. She could here Luke
yelling at Claude. She had to smile; there was no one
like Luke.

Robin: Hey, are you berating the help again?

Luke turned from where he was and when he saw Robin
his face took on a sad smile.

Luke: He’s not the help, I fired him.

Robin: So you’re just berating him? Isn’t it a little
to be firing Claude? I mean what are you going to do
later? 

Luke: One, it’s never too early to fire Claude and
two, I can always rehire him and fire him again. It’s
not like he listens to me anyway.

Robin couldn’t help it she broke out in laughter.

Luke: Now, that’s more like it.

Luke took Robin’s hand and led her to one of them
tables. After they had sat down he looked over at her.

Luke: How you doing darlin?

Robin: I’m okay, 

Robin could feel him staring at her neck, she’d tried
to cover them up as best she could but make-up could
only do so much.

Robin: I wanted to talk to you about last week, I’m
sorry I ran out of here like that, I should have
explained.

Luke: Darlin, you have nothing to apologize for, just
know I will always be here for you. Anything you need
or want, it’s done.

Robin: Actually there is something I want.

Luke: What? Name it?

Robin looked at Luke nervously, she knew this was a
tall order.

Robin: I know you probably won’t want to do this
but... It’s Sonny. He’s blaming himself for my
illness, not to mention Stone, Lily and Brenda’s
deaths. I tried talking to him. I don’t know if it did
any good. He’s in one of his moods. Besides I just
don’t have the energy to deal with Sonny. There’s
still unresolved between us.

Luke had been silent and stoned face through out her
request.

Luke: What is it exactly hat you want?

Robin: Look in on him, try to talk some sense into
him. I still care about him even after everything.
It’s just right now, I can’t pull him up. I have to
concentrate on other things. I know it’s asking a lot.
I don’t know exactly what went down between you and
Sonny but I heard a bit about it.

Luke looked down, suddenly finding the table
fascinating.

Robin: Luke, I am so sorry about Lucky, he was such a
bright spirit. I know that doesn’t give a lot of
comfort. If you don’t want to do it, I’ll understand.

Luke looked up at Robin, he had tears in his eyes.

Luke: I’ll do it.

Robin: You will?

Luke: What can I say you Scorpio women have always
been smooth talkers.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Robin left soon after, she had a lot to do, the people
that knew about her status weren’t likely to go around
telling people about it, but she couldn’t take that
risk. There were certain people she had to tell
herself.




Chapter 7

Luke glared at Johnny.

Luke: Listen Johnny I don't care what his orders were, I need to
see 
him. Robin wanted me to come.

Johnny looked at Luke, on the one hand he knew that Sonny needed 
someone with him but Sonny had said no one was allowed in.

Luke was getting extremely irritated with Johnny. He finally just 
pushed him aside and opened the door to the pent house. 

Luke closed the door behind him locking it. He looked around
Sonny's 
place. It was a mess, plain and simple. Things every where were 
broken and in the middle of all this chaos sat Sonny, staring into 
space.

Sonny: I told him not to let anyone in.

Luke: There ain't a door on this earth that I can't get into
if I 
want to.

Luke slowly walked through the debris and sat down next to Sonny. 
Sonny continued staring straight ahead.

Sonny: She sent you didn't she?

Luke: I don't know what's wrong with that girl, but even
after 
everything you and Morgan put her through, she still cares about you.

Sonny turned and glanced at Luke.

Sonny: Well, we both know I don't deserve that.

Luke: Sonny, I ain't gonna sugar coat it for you, but with Robin
the 
only thing you did wrong is turn your back on her. You didn't
give 
her aids, or Stone for that matter. You didn't kill Brenda, and
it 
was Lily's father that set that bomb. Robin's dying, and
instead of 
trying to make up your mistake to her, and show her just how much you 
love her. You're sitting here feeling sorry for yourself. 

Luke stared at Sonny to see what kind of reaction he was getting. 
Sonny was sitting there in front of him, acting as if weren't
even 
there. Which was pretty hard to do with Luke. Luke threw up his hands 
and got up. He walked out of the room and a few seconds later there 
was the sound of a large crash.

Sonny looked up over towards where Luke had gone and when he realized 
Luke had gone into the kitchen he jumped up and followed.

Sonny: What the hell are you doing Spencer?

Luke looked up from the mess he was making with Sonny's pots.

Luke: He speaks.

Sonny: Don't be cute, what are you doing?

Luke raised his eyebrows at Sonny.

Luke: I can't help it if I'm cute.

Luke watched as Sonny grabbed the pots from Luke and began putting 
them away.

Luke: Hey man, I was just going to make something to eat. 

Sonny: Not in my kitchen.

Luke: That's it.

Luke grabbed Sonny by his collar and half walked; half dragged him 
into the living room. He picked up the pictures that were on the 
couch.

Luke: You see everyone in this picture? Brenda, Stone, Robin and you. 
Two of them are dead and the other will be one day soon and you might 
as well be. Stone and Brenda are dead. So is Lily, hell you act like 
your dead. Now personally I couldn't give a rat's ass what
you do, 
but Robin for some strange reason does.

Sonny wrestled out of Luke's grip and glared at him, Luke just
stared 
him down. Sonny went to push Luke out of the way.

Luke: You think hitting me will help things? You've hurt that
girl 
enough; she has lost every person she has loved in her entire life. 
And as much as I hate to admit it the only person who really has been 
there is Bubba. Now if you make it so that Robin has to lose another 
person she loves I will personally make your life a living hell.

Sonny sat down on the couch.

Sonny: She hates me, I don't blame her.

Luke: I wouldn't blame her either. If it were true.

Sonny looked up at Luke, 

Luke: Don't get me wrong, she is hurt and she does not want to be 
around you, you turned your back on her. You know she never would 
have done that to you. She stayed your friend when you and Brenda 
went through your little soap opera. She's a Scorpio and a Devane
and 
you Sonny Corinthos are lucky just to have been graced with her 
presence. 

Luke turned and walked towards the door.

Luke: Get off your ass and stop feeling sorry for yourself. 

With that Luke walked out the door, slamming as hard as he could.

Sonny stared at the door after Luke left; God Luke Spencer was 
annoying, especially when he was right.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Jax smiled as he opened the door from his suite and saw Robin 
standing there.

Jax: Robin, hi, come on in.

Robin smiled and walked in. She supposed it would be easier to gather 
everyone she knew and tell them all at once but they deserved more 
than that.

Alexis came out of the kitchen with a bowl of popcorn. 

Alexis: Hello Robin, how are you?

Robin: I'm all right, I wanted to talk to you both, that is if
you 
have a few minutes?

Jax: Always.

Robin sighed and sat down.

Jax immediately went on the alert, something was amiss.

Jax: This isn't about Morgan or Corinthos, is it?

Robin smiled to herself that was one of Jax's biggest fears that 
another person he loved would get rapped up with Sonny and Jason.

Robin: No,

Jax immediately relaxed. Not for too long though, Robin didn't
look 
right.

Jax: What is it sweat heart?

Robin: I wanted to be the one to tell you, I'm telling the people 
that mean the most to me, my friends and family, 

Alexis studied Robin, she was rambling, 

Alexis: Robin, what is it?

It wasn't that Robin was afraid of their reactions, it was more
she 
was knew that telling them would hurt them. She remembered how much 
she had hurt when she found out about Stone. She didn't want to
cause 
the people she loved so much pain.

Robin: My aids is active, the cocktail stopped working, 

Jax stared at Robin, he opened his mouth and then closed it again. 
Robin heard Alexis take in her breath and she saw how she placed a 
hand on Jax. 

Robin: Say something.

Jax got up, bringing Robin to her feet. He gathered her in his arms 
and held on tight for a very  long time.

When Jax and Robin finally pulled away Robin saw the look of sadness 
in his eyes. She knew she'd put that there. 

Jax: Do you need any help with anything? I want to cover your 
expenses.

Robin smiled,

Robin: I don't need any help with money, my parents left me
plenty 
when they died. 

Jax nodded, still in shock.

Jax: he offer is permanently open.

Robin: Thank you.

Alexis: Are you okay? I mean, I don't know what I mean.

Robin laughed,

Robin: It's okay Alexis, I'm not incredibly sick yet, but I
wanted to 
tell people before anything happens. Alan has me on a lot of 
preventative medications.

Jax took Robin's hand in his.

Jax: You're one of the strongest people I know, I love you, is
there 
anything I can do.

Robin: Not right now, I already told Ned and Lois and my family 
knows, but I'd appreciate it if you don't really tell anyone
yet. I 
want to, it's important.

Alexis: Of course.

Robin: I don't want Jason knowing.

Jax: What about Corinthos?

Robin: He knows but he won't tell Jason.

An irritated look past over Jax's face, what he wouldn't give
to have 
those thugs out of Robin's life.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lois and Ned were sitting in the living room cuddling. They were both 
pretty quiet, they had been ever since they found out about Robin. 
Ned pulled away and got up.

Ned: I'm going to go pick Brooke-Lynn up. She'll be getting
out of 
school soon.

Lois nodded and Ned sighed. They both just felt so helpless.  Lois 
remained on the couch  after Ned left. She broke out of her trance 
though when there was a knock on the door. The last thing Lois felt 
like doing was answering it but she got up and did anyway. She opened 
the door and stared in complete shock at who was in front of her.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Robin pulled into her driveway, she stayed in the car for a few 
minutes, and she needed to collect herself before going inside. She 
had thought telling Jax was hard, but she just came from the 
Quartermaines and she knew she had broken Lila and Edwards hearts. A 
lot of people would argue that Edward didn't have a heart but
Robin 
knew he did. Lila was Edwards's heart. A.J. had been there when
she'd 
told them and of course they'd offered to help in any way they
could. 
Robin felt so bad breaking all these people's hearts. 

Robin: I hate this.

Stone: I know.

Robin: They looked so sad. I didn't know what to do.

Stone: You did fine. 

Robin: I know I have to tell everybody I just wish nobody else would 
have to hurt because of me.

Stone: Robin, it's true they are hurting, but it's because
they love 
you so much. If people didn't feel hurt then they wouldn't
feel love.

Robin: But why does it have to hurt so much?

Stone: Because the love in your life is so much.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lois stood in complete shock for a few minutes more before whispering 
the person in front of her name.

Lois: Brenda!?

Brenda: Good, I thought maybe you'd forgotten my name.

Lois: How? You're... You're...

Brenda: Supposed to be dead.

Lois nodded numbly, and then brought Brenda in for a hug before 
bursting into tears.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Robin opened the front door and walked in. She immediately heard 
people, lots of people.

Robin: Uncle Mac?, I'm home.

Mac came out of the kitchen, a hoard of people following him, well 
not a hoard Robin thought but quite a few.

Tiffany: Robin, sweetie, come here.

Robin went to Tiffany and was immediately embraced in a hug.

Robin: It's good to see you, how long do think you'll be
staying?

Tiffany: We're moving back here. Sean can do his job from
anywhere, 
and this is home to us. 

Robin smiled a bittersweet smile. They had come home for her, one the 
one hand she was glad, but she felt guilty they were uprooting their 
lives because of her.

Robin: Where's Anna?

Tiffany: Upstairs playing with Georgie.

Robin looked around everyone was looking at her so intently. Mac, 
Felicia, Sean and Tiffany.

Robin: Why is everyone staring at me?

Every one immediately looked away.

Tiffany: I just haven't seen you in so long. How are you doing?

Robin: I'm all right.

She went further into the living room and sat on the couch. Mac 
followed and sat beside her, well the others hung back.

Mac: Are you okay?

Robin: I told Jax, Alexis and the Quartermaines today.

Mac: The Quartermaines that had to have been interesting.

Robin: It was.

Mac: I'm proud of you.

Robin nodded, she was sick of people being proud of her.

Sean, Felicia and Tiffany came in and sat down.

Robin: Where's Maxie?

Felicia grinned.

Felicia: She's at Kelly's with Sean.

Robin smiled and glanced at Mac whose face had taken on a interesting 
shade of purple.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Ned sat down beside his wife who was still pretty much shocked. Ned 
had returned from picking Brook-Lynn up to fin Lois and Brenda of all 
people hugging and crying.

Ned: So let me get this straight, Hernando Riverez had a son, 
Hernando Jr. 

Brenda: Yeah, after Lily died and then his father he lost it. He 
wanted to get back at Sonny. So he found me, he kept me locked up for 
a few years. He thought he was in love with me. I finally escaped.

Ned: So you just escaped? Will he come after you?

Brenda: No, I killed  him, he was... well I just didn't have a 
choice, but I didn't just escape. I've been out for a little
while.

Lois: Why didn't you come home before now?

Brenda: I missed everyone so much, I really did but I needed some 
time to myself. I've always been such a mess,  I needed to clear
my 
head. Figure some things out.

Ned: How come he never contacted anyone? 

Brenda: The ultimate revenge letting Sonny and everyone believe I was 
dead, besides according to him, his entire family would be alive if 
it wasn't for me.

Lois: How?

Brenda: If Sonny hadn't been in love with me well he was married
to 
Lily his father never would have set the bomb. Lily wouldn't have 
died and thus his father wouldn't have died.

Lois couldn't get over how calm Brenda was discussing all of
this. 

Ned: That's sick?

Brenda: I know.

Lois: I can't believe you're home, 

Lois bought Brenda into another hug as Ned watched with tears in his 
eyes. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The next morning Robin headed to General Hospital, all this stress 
was getting to her and she needed to see someone. She felt bad that 
everybody else felt bad. Vicious circle and it sucked. She made her 
way to Kevin's office, she knew she had to talk to somebody and
Kevin 
seemed like the only way to go.



 



Chapter 8 

Lois sat at the kitchen table sipping her coffee. Ned had taken 
Brooke-Lynn to school and then gone to L+B. Brenda had gone to bed 
early the night before. And Lois was not quite sure how to approach 
her friend about what needed to be said. Brenda had obviously been 
through a lot. 

Brenda walked into the kitchen and saw Lois sipping her coffee with a 
concerned look on her face. 

Brenda: Uh oh, I know that look. What's wrong? 

Lois: Actually, that's what I was hoping you'd tell me. 

Brenda felt the fear shoot through her. There was no way Lois could 
anything was wrong. Lois had to be just putting out feelers. 

Brenda: What do you mean? 

Lois: Bren, yesterday you just didn't seem like yourself. You
seem so 
calm, not at all angry or upset. 

Brenda: It's been a long time Lois, I've changed. 

Lois: I don't think you've changed that much, Ned and I heard
you 
last night. 

Brenda looked down and tried to remember which particular nightmare 
had haunted her dreams last night. 

Lois: Talk to me, a lot of things must have happened to you. Nobody 
expects you to be all calm and collected. 

Brenda: It'd be nice though wouldn't it? It'd be nice if
the only 
thing that kept me alive wasn't everyone here, but it was. I hated 
Sonny so much well that basterd had me. I hated everything and 
everyone, I wanted to go insane, anything not to feel anymore. But I 
couldn't do that; I couldn't give in that easily. 

Lois: Brenda, you don't have to be anything. Just be who you are.
I 
guarantee everyone will still love you. 

Brenda: I stayed away for so long. I tried to get my bearings before 
I came back. But the minute I got on the plane to come home 
everything came back. How chaotic my life always was here. How I was 
constantly going back and forth between Sonny and Jax. How I never 
really learned how to stand on my own. 

Lois: You had problems, they won't go away until you face them. 

Brenda didn't say anything; she was so sick of not knowing what
to 
do. She kept saying that she'd stayed away from Port-Charles to
get 
her bearings. But the truth was that she had been hiding. She'd
been 
afraid to come home, and she hated herself for that. For letting 
circumstances control her. 

Lois took another sip of her coffee, if Brenda was in this much 
trouble right now, what was she going to do when she found out about 
Robin? 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Robin left Kevin's office. She'd talked to him for a while,
but 
without an appointment they hadn't gotten very in depth. He had
been 
upset when she told him. But unlike everyone else's reaction
Robin 
didn't feel responsible for Kevin's pain. Maybe it was
because Kevin 
had been the person Stone talked to, or maybe it was because he was a 
doctor. All Robin knew was that it felt good to tell someone about 
her feelings and not feel guilty for not being "strong brave
Robin." 
Robin made her way to the elevators stopping when she saw Alan and 
Lucy talking. Lucy was going on about something; her arms were waving 
around in the air. Alan had a painful look on his face; his eyes were 
darting all over the place. Trying desperately to find his escape. 

Alan: Robin! Hey, how are you feeling? 

Robin grimaced, she loved Lucy but she would have done anything to 
avoid the on slot of energy that was about to be directed at her. 

Lucy: ROBIN! I heard you were back, I just haven't had to time to 
stop and say hello. Everything's been so crazy. Are you staying
for 
long? We missed you so much at last years Nurses Ball. It just
wasn't 
the same without you! Did you hear the news? Kevin and I actually got 
married. I have a thing for doctors I guess. 

Robin: Lucy, hi. 

Lucy: I'm talking too much again aren't I. It's just that
it's been 
so long since I've seen you. 

Robin smiled at Lucy, whatever Lucy was at least she was genuine. 

Robin: Do you have time to go get a cup of coffee and catch up? 

Lucky: Oh that's sounds wonderful. Alan don't forget what I
said, 
I'll talk to you later though. 

Alan smiled gratefully at Robin who nodded in response. Lucy pushed 
the elevator button and began yet again talking a blue streak. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Lois looked over at her friend; Brenda was going through old photo 
albums. Looking at her past life, all their past lives. 

Lois: So what are you going to do? 

Brenda: Well, I'm not exactly sure how one goes about announcing
that 
there back from the dead. 

Lois: People should be used to it by now. It's pretty common
around 
here. 

Lois paused. 

Lois: Robin's in town, she just moved back. 

Brenda immediately perked up. 

Brenda: Really? Did she go back to Paris? 

Lois: Yeah, she just graduated from the Sorbonne. She's not doing 
very well though. 

Brenda: What do you mean? 

Lois: Well, at lot has happened since you "died." She and
Jason broke 
up; it turned out that A.J. was Michael's father. 

Brenda: Jason lied? 

Lois: Sort of, it's complicated. Jason had Carly and Michael
living 
with Robin and him. Robin finally couldn't take Carly's lies
anymore. 
She told A.J. the truth, which of course Jason and Sonny saw as 
betrayal. 

Brenda's eyes took on a far off look. Betrayal, boy did she know 
about that word. And when it was connected to Sonny Corinthos and 
Jason Morgan they could be ruthless. 

Brenda: How is she? 

Lois: She says she's over Jason but I don't know, she's
not about to 
go back to him though. I don't know everything that went down but
I 
do know that some harsh words were exchanged. Jason told he never 
wanted to see her face again. 

Brenda: Oh God that must have killed her. No wonder she left. 

Lois: There's something else. 

Brenda: What? 

Lois: I wouldn't tell you but Robin is telling people now and I
think 
she'll have enough to deal with you just being alive... 

Brenda: Lois what? 

Lois: She has full-blown aids. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Robin sat across from Lucy, it was oddly comforting listening to her 
go on and on. At least some things stayed the same. 

Robin: Actually Lucy I knew about you and Kevin. I saw him this 
morning, he told me. I'm really happy for you two. 

Lucy: Oh well then we can start talking about you. How come
you're 
home? 

Robin: I graduated. It was time to come home. 

Lucy: Well I'm glad, but you know what? I have to go. But we
should 
get together again soon. Oh and now that you're home you can help
me 
plan the nurses ball! You have to perform. 

Robin smiled at Lucy. 

Robin: I'll think about it. 

Lucy: That will do for now, but when planning time rolls around you 
know I'll start using extreme measures. 

Robin: Of course. 

Lucy got up and walked towards the exit stopping to turn back to 
Robin for a second. 

Lucy: Ta! 

Robin smiled; nobody could pull that off like Lucy. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Maxie put her bag down on the couch having arrived home from a 
glorious half day of school. The house was pretty quiet but it
didn't 
surprise her. It was the middle of the day, she hadn't expected 
anyone to be home. Maxie made her way to the kitchen but stopped when 
she heard low voices. 

Felicia: I can't believe you called him without telling me. 

Mac: I'm telling you now. It's not like I want to see the guy
but he 
is one of Robin's God father's and I think its important that
he see 
her. 

Felicia: I agree with you, but this is not going to go over well with 
Maxie and I won't blame her. 

Mac and Felicia let the silence envelop them for a few minutes. 

Felicia: He's actually taking time off? 

Mac nodded, he hated this situation as much as Felicia did, but Robin 
needed as many people with her as possible. 

Mac: He should be here in a few days. 

Felicia: I have to tell the girls. 

Maxie stood outside the kitchen, they hadn't said his name but
there 
was only one person they could be talking about, Frisco Jones. As 
much as Maxie loved Robin the only emotion she felt right now was 
anger. Maxie knew Robin was dying and it was an entirely different 
situation. But still all Mac had to do was pick up the phone and 
say "Robin needs you Frisco, come home." And her
"father" would come 
a running. But neither she nor Georgie had gotten even a phone call 
in years! He certainly had his priorities in check. 

On impulse Maxie stepped into the kitchen and stared her parents 
down. 

Maxie: You just did. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Brenda: Is she in the hospital? How bad is it? Is it like with Stone? 

Lois: Robin didn't really go into details but I do know that Alan
has 
her on medication and she's okay for right now. 

Brenda looked at Lois; she then looked around the room trying to hold 
back the tears. She should have come home sooner. She'd let her 
little sister down. 

Brenda: I want to see her. Where is she living? 

Lois: With her uncle but I don't think... 

Brenda was out the door before she could even finish the sentence. 
While this would be interesting Lois though. Brenda Barrett recently 
back from the dead lose on the streets of Port Charles. Lois 
considered going after her but knew it wouldn't make a
difference. 
When it came to people she loved Brenda had never been one to back 
down or even take things slow. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Mac and Felicia stared at Maxie both unsure of what to say. 

Felicia: Honey... 

Maxie: Relax, I'm not mad, I'm looking forward to seeing
Frisco. 

Felicia: You are? 

Maxie: Yeah, it would be nice to be reminded of what he looks like. 
Besides it has been almost eight years since the last time I talked 
to him. I'm up for a little "father daughter bonding." It
will be 
healthy don't you think? Of course that will be after he spends
time 
with Robin and meets Georgie. But before he takes off for another 
decade right? 

Felicia: He's met Georgie. 

Maxie: Oh that's right, he saw her for about ten minutes right
after 
she was born. I stand corrected. If you'll excuse me I have
homework. 

Maxie turned and left the kitchen. Neither Mac nor Felicia said 
anything. Felicia could feel her eyes brimming over with tears. Mac 
sighed and took her in is arms. 

Felicia: I know he loves them, he just... 

Mac held her even tighter and silently cursed Frisco Jones under is 
breath. Part of him wished he'd never called Frisco, but he also
knew 
what it would mean to Robin to see him and right now that was his 
priority. 

Felicia pulled back. 

Felicia: Why did you call him? 

Mac: You know why I did, and it really doesn't matter why or when 
Frisco comes home. Maxie has had those feelings for a long time. They 
were just waiting to get out. 

Mac pulled away when he heard a pounding knock on the font door. He 
sighed and went to the door. Pulling it open his eyes went wide. 

Brenda ignored Mac's shocked expression and walked into the
house. 
She had other things on her mind right now. 

Mac: Brenda?!? 

Brenda: Hi, 

Mac: But your dead! 

Brenda: Yeah about that... It didn't happen. 

Brenda could already tell that this I didn't die thing was going
to 
get old fast. 

Brenda: Kidnapped. 

Mac: Oh, uh... 

Brenda: Look I just got back and Lois told me about Robin. Is she 
here? 

Mac: No, she had a doctor's appointment. 

Mac couldn't stop starring at Brenda, Robin was going to b
elated. 

Brenda: When will she be home? Do have enough time to go kick
Jason's 
butt? 

Mac smiled, he was still stunned but he knew a good idea when he 
heard one. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

Robin made her way up the walk and noticed the open door to her 
house. She curiously walked into the house. 

Robin: Mac, why is the do... 

Robin stopped talking she stopped everything because in front of her 
stood her best friend, her big sister Brenda Barrett.