"Rescue Me" – what might have happened to Dr Romano at the end of Series 9.
A short story by RJ Valentine.
I do not own ER, or any of its characters, (although Jessie is entirely mine!) and I only hope to present an alternative view of series 10. This is my first fan fiction, so please review!
CHAPTER 1.
Robert slouched, absently scratching his left wrist. Sometimes he forgot that it no longer itched. He wondered what it was that Kerry wanted. Something so important that he had to cut short a particularly cutting, and enjoyable, lecture to the students about the correct use for a catheter.
He shook his head. What was happening to his life? He used to have it all; a great career, a gorgeous house, high performance car, the occasional romantic liaison – couldn't have been better. And then it happened. That night which seemed so long ago; the noise, the feel of the wind rushing through his surgeon's scrubs, then – nothing. Blackness and cold. His future changed forever in the blink of an eye.
Robert shifted position slightly and looked over towards his office (for he still thought of it as his office even though the she had usurped his position two months ago) where he could see Kerry deep in discussion with someone. Almost as if she could sense him looking, he could see her pick up the telephone. Sure enough, a couple of seconds later its twin, sitting on the desk in front of him, started to ring. The teenage receptionist glared at it for a second or two and then, almost as an afterthought, picked it up.
"Hello…" she began, and stopped, as if mesmerized. She glanced up at Robert, who could see that she had a pierced eyebrow and a sour expression. She mumbled something into the receiver and hung up the telephone.
"The doctor will see you now." She smirked at her own joke. Robert gave her his best withering look and she hastily lowered her eyes.
Robert pushed the office door open (my office door, he thought savagely) and walked into the room. He was surprised to find that Kerry's guest was a young woman, and a reasonably attractive one at that. She stood as he entered the room, and subconsciously Robert straightened his back; he noticed she was nearly as tall as him. You've only got one arm, a voice in his head whispered, cruelly. Who's going to want you now?
The woman held out her right hand for Robert to shake. Kerry, too, had risen.
"This is Dr Jessie Rhodes," Kerry said, "Jessie, I'd like you to meet Dr Robert Romano."
"Pleased to meet you," Jessie smiled. Robert attempted to rearrange his facial features to resemble a smile and shook Jessie's hand, rather firmly.
"Likewise," he managed.
Kerry sat back down behind the desk and indicated that Robert should take the unoccupied chair. Jessie resumed her seat, crossing her legs smoothly.
"Robert, I think the time has come for us to talk about your future at this hospital," Kerry began. "If you're going to stay here, we need to find something productive for you to do, and from the reception you appear to be receiving down in the ER, I get the feeling that productivity isn't high on your list right now. You seem more concerned with annoying as many people as possible!"
Robert opened his mouth to speak but Kerry held up her hand and fixed him with a look that spoke volumes.
"Please Robert, let me finish, then you can have your say. Now, the board have met several times recently to discuss your, um, situation, and we feel that we have found a resolution which will hopefully be mutually beneficial. However, it does involve some degree of participation on your part. You are to be assessed." Kerry turned to face Jessie.
"Now Jessie Rhodes comes recommended to us as a rising star in the field of counselling and therapy. She…" Kerry didn't get any further; Robert's frustration had finally boiled over and he was determined to vent his feelings in her direction. It always made him feel better.
"Listen, Kerry; I am not being poked and prodded and asked pointless, stupid, theoretical, hippie questions by someone who I've never heard of, and who knows nothing about what it's like to only have one damn arm! Now, I'm sorry to waste your time, Dr Rhodes, but.." Robert's voice trailed off as he watched Jessie slide her right arm smoothly out of her jacket, and fold up her shirt sleeve to show him her forearm.
"The doctors didn't think that they could save it," she began calmly, her eyes gazing down at the thin and neat, but vicious, scar that encircled her arm three inches below her right elbow. "They didn't do too badly, all things considering."
Robert looked up at Jessie's face and her eyes met his.
"Looks like they did a fine job. Any feeling, or movement?"
"Some restricted movement," Jessie replied, looking thoughtful. "but not very much feeling," she admitted.
"Okay, so you've had an accident, but they fixed you didn't they? At least you still have an arm." Robert sat back in his chair and frowned. "In case you hadn't spotted it, mine didn't want to stay attached to my body."
Jessie ignored him and bent down. She slipped off her shoe, and gently rolled up her right trouser leg to just below the knee. Robert watched her and leaned forward again, the reproach dying on his lips as he noticed that her right leg was false.
"They couldn't save my leg," she said, almost to herself, as she stared at the prosthetic. "Well, they couldn't find enough to save anyway." With a short smile at Robert she lowered her trouser leg and located her shoe.
Robert looked at Jessie, and then at Kerry, who said nothing. She was watching Jessie. This has got to work, she thought to herself. Robert may be a grade one asshole, but he's got too much talent for the hospital to throw away. He could be a fantastic teacher; he had so much knowledge, but he needed to sort himself out, and he needed professional help to do it. Absorbed in this train of thought, she visibly jumped when her beeper went off. Glancing at the number, she rose, reaching for her crutch, which was leaning against her desk.
"If you'll excuse me for a minute," she said. "I'll be back as soon as I can." She walked to the door and hurried out.
Robert cleared his throat.
"So, what happened?" He asked Jessie, casually.
"Car accident," she replied. "Six years ago."
Robert watched Jessie's face, considering.
Were you driving?" He asked
Jessie shifted slightly, but her gaze never left his. He looks so lost, she thought. Like a little boy, the school bully, who's suddenly been hit harder than he's ever been hit before; and he doesn't know what to do. This was going to be a challenge.
"No," she said.
Robert shut his eyes and listened to the clock in the next office strike four o'clock.
"My husband was driving." Jessie dropped her eyes and looked at her lap. She ran her hand through her shoulder length hair, which settled neatly in place. Then she raised her head and looked defiantly at Robert, willing him to say something.
"Did he die?" He asked
"Yes, Dr Romano. He died."
"I'm sorry," Robert said, honestly. He paused, as if searching for something else to say. "So what happened?"
The door opened, and Kerry walked back into the office. She moved round to the desk and sat down.
"Right, sorry about that. Now where were we? Oh, yes – Robert; Dr Rhodes has studied at Oxford and Harvard and has a double Doctorate. She has established a good reputation in her field." Kerry looked at Robert. "Jessie will be working with you for six months during which you will be assessed."
Robert opened his mouth to object; more a reflex action than a need to correct the situation. Kerry interrupted him.
"Robert, listen to me. The board have decided that this is required. They need to see some evidence for keeping you in a valuable position here at County. The best way to do this would be to have you take part in an examination in order to determine your continued ability, your state of mind, your desires and frustrations. Jessie is here to ensure that this goes as smoothly as possible." She turned to face Jessie. "When do you suggest the first session?"
Jessie looked at Robert, who was staring at the floor, stony-faced. Might as well get it over with, she thought.
"How about we schedule a meeting for tomorrow?" She asked the top of Robert's head.
"Tomorrow would be fine," Robert mumbled. "How about two o'clock?" He sat back in his chair, wearing the look of the defeated.
"Excellent!" Said Kerry, briskly. She stood up and proffered her hand towards Jessie. "Delighted to meet you," she said, "I look forward to your report."
Jessie rose to her feet and slipped her arm back into her jacket. She clasped her hands together briefly and held out her right hand, fingers perfectly placed for a handshake. Robert too, stood up, and looked at Jessie. She seemed like such a together person, he thought. After all she's been through. I wonder where she's from….England I reckon, although there's some American accent in there.
Jessie turned to face Robert.
"I look forward to working with you, Dr Romano." She smiled and shook his hand. Then she picked up her briefcase and left the room. The door shut quietly behind her.
Robert stared at Kerry. His face was unreadable.
"I suppose," he began, "it could have been a hell of a lot worse."
Kerry allowed herself a small smile.
"Some of the other propositions…. You wouldn't want to know, Robert."
Robert sighed, and moved to scratch his left wrist again. He caught himself in time and shook his head. Nodding briefly at Kerry, he left her office, nearly managing not to slam the door.
Kerry sat down and thought about what had just happened. She wondered if she might just have saved Robert's butt. And then she wondered whether in doing so, she was going to cause more trouble for herself than she knew what to do with…….