Note: I have a little confession to make. There are actually about ten stories sitting on my hard drive, all in various stages of development. I seemed to be unable to concentrate on only one at a time, which means all are being written concurrently. Therefore, please bear with me as I have a horrible feeling all of them (first chapters at least) are going to get posted before numero uno is finished.
Just a teaser - I really enjoyed writing the last chapter and epilogue. Unfortunately, there are a couple of chapters in the middle that aren't finished so I can't post the whole thing yet. Hee hee.
Disclaimer: I'm glad I don't own any of the characters. I have enough responsibility in my life as it is. Apologies for any unintended infringements, yada, yada. Should also mention that anything vaguely medical or related to US culture/society is based solely on artistic license - if it fits, its in.
Summary: Started with a clean slate - there is no stupid helicopter accident, ever. Mark's dead, Elizabeth comes back from UK, Romano's still the head honcho. This is more about their changing relationship after Elizabeth is allowed to see the real Romano.
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CHAPTER ONE
"No, I don't care!" Dr Robert Romano snapped out before pushing opening the double doors and sweeping through them.
Elizabeth was left looking at his disappearing figure, wondering once again what had brought on this particular bad mood. Being closer to him than others, she had begun to notice that recently Robert was considerably quieter. It wasn't a good quiet though, as it did not bring with it a welcome relief from his acerbic attitude. Robert seemed to be brooding about something, keeping it deep inside, letting it fester and simmer. She knew that it couldn't last and eventually whatever was bothering him was going to cause him to explode. It was going to be ugly, she just knew it. Telltale signs from the intensity the verbal lashings he had dealt out so far more than confirmed her hypothesis. She was worried for him, worried for those around them, but most of all scared that he was going to hurt himself more than others this time.
Elizabeth had tried several times to talk to him, get him to open up so she would have some idea of what was going on. Each time her shot her down, not unkindly as she would have expected but still he rejected the overtures. Elizabeth was continually wondering why she even bothered but knew deep in her heart that she owed him. Robert Romano did have a heart, a soul, and he did care for those around him. Maybe she was the only one to see this because she had been on the receiving end more than once. Mark and his tumor, Ella and the ecstasy, the string of post-op deaths and subsequent investigation.
He had welcomed her back with open arms and giving her the support to get her life back on track. He didn't make it any easier than he would have done for anyone else though and that's what she was the most grateful for. He had believed she could do it on her own. Mark may have died but she's still the same person - strong, smart and independent. She had glimpsed the faith he had in her at Mark's funeral, delivering his quiet reassurance that he would keep her post open until she felt it was time to return. He knew she would come back eventually. They had kept in touch while she was in England, his witty e-mail commentary on life at County always made her laugh. Since she had rejoined County, they had returned to their old habits with snarky banter across the operating table and a certain complicity when it came to their colleagues.
Essentially, Robert had always been there for her, supporting her and never asking for anything in return or recognition. She hated to admit it but he was her rock, the one constant, the one person she knew who would catch her every time she fell. He knew this too but never once had he tried to take advantage of his precious position. However, something had changed. It was almost as if their relationship had matured into more of a close friendship than boss/subordinate dynamic. They were each other's confidents, testing ideas and opinions and knowing they would get an honest answer. Despite all this though, Robert Romano was still something of a mystery to her, his deep secrets carefully locked away from prying eyes.
Three hours later, Elizabeth passed by Robert's office and was almost run down by a well-dressed man as he stormed out of the door.
"Its your decision Dr Romano, but I'd suggest you reconsider before its too late!" the man snapped out before he walked away.
Elizabeth watched the man disappear and turned back to look at the open office door. Against her better judgment, she knocked and walked straight in.
"What was that about?"
"Nothing!" Robert snapped.
"Look, we are getting pretty tired of this. Its obviously not nothing."
"So, it's not nothing and it doesn't matter. Is that better? How about it's got nothing to do with the hospital, its personal."
"Well, that's just as important, especially when it's beginning to affect your work."
"Excuse me?! Affect my work how? Can you honestly say I have ever put a patient's life at risk just because I've been in a bad mood?" he demanded angrily.
Elizabeth sighed and closed the office door behind her. The whole hospital did not need to hear this conversation.
"Of course not, Robert. I was talking about your working relationship with you colleagues. No, don't tell me you don't give a damn about that because I know you do."
"Certain people perhaps," he conceded in a much calmer tone. Elizabeth always had that effect on him. He watched with some amusement as she walked over to his couch and made herself comfortable. His eyes narrowed when she started to scrutinize his appearance and he could tell she didn't like what she saw.
Elizabeth knows he's angry and knows it's not with work. Dragging personal information out of this man required time and patience so she just sat there, watching him, patiently. Predictably, Robert cracked first, sighing as he ran his hands tiredly over his face. Elizabeth can plainly see now how exhausted he was, his skin paler than usual with dark lines around eyes.
"Robert," she prompted him softly.
He looked up, defeated but grateful.
"Thanks for the concern but I just need time to think."
"Perhaps you should go home and do that because you look absolutely awful," Elizabeth suggested honestly.
"Why Lizzie, that's quite possibly the nicest thing you've ever said to me!" Robert retorted sarcastically.
Elizabeth gave him one of her looks, reserved just for him so he knew when she was only humoring him.
"If you're sure?" she offered, giving him one last chance to talk about whatever was bothering him.
"Yes, I'm sure," Robert replied firmly.
"OK, if you won't talk, at least get some rest," she stated and quickly left his office so he couldn't answer back. Childish but it worked. Only very rarely would he race after her to have the final word.
An hour later, Robert knocked on her open office door. With his coat on and briefcase in hand, he was obviously on his way home. What was strange was that it was not even mid afternoon.
"Yes, yes. I'm taking your advice for once," he confirmed when she started to grin smugly.
"I'll try to hide my excessive joy."
"That I'm leaving or that I followed your advice?"
"You pick, Robert, but either way, I win."
"No actually you don't because my leaving you in the lurch means you inherit my surgeries planned for this afternoon."
"What? I was going to spend that clearing all this paperwork you shoved my way!"
"Are or are you not Associate Chief of Surgery? Yes, you are! This is what you are supposed to do."
"I hate you, Robert."
"I know but thanks anyway," Robert shot back and then turned to leave.
"Robert!" Elizabeth called out quickly.
"Yeah?"
"Don't do anything stupid, just get some rest. Please."
Robert snorted at the hasty request.
"Your faith in me is very touching, Lizzie," he threw over his shoulder as he walked away.
Elizabeth looked down at her desk and the piles of papers, but couldn't help grinning. Robert Romano had actually listened to her.