Okay this takes place around season 10, but is slightly alternate universe, because MY Robert has both his arms and is still the head honcho. That ridiculous helicopter storyline never happened. Elizabeth has just discovered Dorsett is married and is licking her wounds.
And just for the record I do not own E.R or any characters from it...but *if* I did...
THE AMERICAN PATIENT
Chapter One – Stormy weather
Romano was in a foul mood and had been all day. His head was pounding and his entire body was sending protests of pain to his brain. Bringing up a hand to his forehead, he wiped away the thin layer of sweat he encountered and cursed to himself. Damn it he was on fire.
"Stupid flu bug!" he grumbled.
"What was that Dr Romano?" asked Shirley in a tired voice. He'd been a pain in the ass all day, actually a bigger one than normal.
"Nothing," he spat out and walked off towards the recovery room to check on his patients. After ensuring all was right, he glanced over his shoulder before picking up a digital thermometer. Sneaking another look over his shoulder he placed it in his ear.
"102.4! Jeez, no wonder I feel like crap!" he groaned.
"Robert what are you doing?" a voice boomed out.
"Oh, hi Donald," he replied, trying to hide the thermometer behind his back.
Donald marched over to where Robert stood and took the thermometer from him. He looked at the reading and let out a low whistle. "Well this explains your appearance Robert. I'd say you're coming down with the flu."
"No I'm not – I don't get ill, I'm just a little tired."
Shirley entered the room at that point on her rounds and Donald motioned her over. He showed her the thermometer and pointed at Robert.
"This is you?" she asked looking at Romano with a surprised tone. "I'd say you're coming down with the flu."
Robert rolled his eyes.
"Well then it's a good job you're not a doctor isn't it?" he snapped at her.
"No she's not, but I am," said Donald. "Robert, you have the flu and are in no fit state to be working, never mind doing long surgeries. I suggest you go home and take a few days off to recuperate."
Robert stared at the man like he had two heads.
"You're not serious?" he said astonished.
Donald folded his arms across his chest and looked him in the eye. "Oh, I'm perfectly serious. You carry on working like this, and you'll not only get worse but you'll become a liability to this hospital. So I am TELLING you to go home. NOW!"
Robert looked from Donald to Shirley who was not even attempting to hide the smirk on her face.
"Fine," he grumbled sulkily and slammed out of the room. Before he could close the door he heard Shirley's crowing voice. "Dr Anspaugh, did I ever tell you you're my hero!" closely followed by their laughter.
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Elizabeth stood up from her desk and ran a conscientious eye over everything. It all seemed to be in order. Everything pending was now in the out-tray she noted with a self-satisfied smile, and nodded her head.
'Thank the Lord that's all done,' she thought to herself. 'And now I have a whole week off! Gathering up her coat and bag she took a last cursory glance around her office. She allowed a huge smile to grace her face and carefully poked her head out of the door to see if the coast was clear – she had no intention of getting sucked into anything that delayed her leaving this hospital for even one minute.
It all seemed to be quiet, so feeling brave she made a dash for the elevator and made it there without incident and pushed the button.
"C'mon, c'mon," Elizabeth said, shuffling impatiently from one foot to the other.
The doors opened and she stepped in –
"Hold the elevator!" Romano's voice boomed.
'Noooo!' Elizabeth thought. She made no attempt to hold the elevator and willed the doors to hurry up and close.
They began to comply and she breathed a sigh of relief, until Romano's arm and leg filled the gap and parted the doors to allow the rest of his body to slip through.
He looked at her with an angry expression.
"Thanks Lizzie, really appreciate your help there!" he snapped at her.
"Sorry didn't hear you," she replied sweetly.
He snorted at her, and then stole a glance when he felt she wasn't watching him. Gorgeous. Then he kicked himself unconsciously. Why did he waste time on her? He was sick and tired of waiting around for something to change. It was time he faced the fact that she would never like him the way he wanted her to. Let's see, she'd chosen Benton then Greene above him and now that she seemed to be over Marks untimely demise, she'd started seeing that slimy idiot Dorsett! 'Fast Eddie.' 'Who in the hell would willingly go out with someone who called themselves 'Fast Eddie? Well that one had blown up in her face hadn't it,' he thought to himself smugly.
No, she was never going to be interested in him and it was time he stopped pinning after what he could not have.
"Something I can do for you Robert?" Elizabeth asked.
"What?"
"You were staring at me," she pointed out.
"Was I? Oh, sorry."
That wasn't the usual snarky reply she would have expected from him. She looked down at him and noticed then that he did not appear right. His face was flushed and he was sweating slightly.
"Robert are you feeling okay?" she asked in a concerned voice that surprised even herself.
"I'm fine," he replied gruffly.
"Well you look like crap."
"If you must know I feel lousy and I'm going home."
Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest and smiled smugly. "I thought that 'Rocket Romano' didn't get sick?"
"Glad to see I favour in some of your thoughts Lizzie," he said, absently reaching a hand to wipe his forehead.
"Oh, I have plenty of thoughts about you Robert, though they usually involve you and lots of pain!"
He flicked his eyes up briefly to meet hers. "Lizzie, you surprise me. I had no idea you were so kinky." The elevator doors opened and Robert stepped out taking the last word with him.
"Smart arse little turd," she muttered to no one in particular and stepped out herself.
As she reached the ambulance bay she breathed a sigh of relief. She finally had seven wonderful days off to spend with Ella, and she couldn't wait.
At that point, the heavens opened in an almighty downpour.
"Oh, bloody marvellous!" She wrapped her coat around her as tightly as it would go, then raising her bag above her head she began to hurry towards the El station.
Before she got too far a car appeared beside her and the passenger door flung open. She heard Robert's voice call from within.
"Get in before you drown!"
She was getting soaked through and hesitated for just a split second before, against her better judgement, she got in.
TBC
