September 29th, 2003

Elizabeth stared at the body in front of her. Thirty minutes into the surgery, the man had crashed. She took her gloves off and threw them into the trash.

"Time of death is nineteen fifty-seven." She didn't bother to close him up. She went into the scrub room and bean to wash up.

"He was a geezer, Lizzie." Robert walked up behind her. Elizabeth jumped.

"Christ, Robert, we need to put a bell around your neck." Elizabeth looked at him, "You were watching."

"Of course. I like watching the best surgeon at work." Robert said. Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

"I am not the best surgeon." She said drying her hands off.

"You are now." Robert said. Elizabeth sighed as they walked out into the hallway, "Death happens, Lizzie."

"I know that. I don't care that he was nintey. He was a human." She told him as they went into the lounge.

"That is why you make a good doctor. You care about every welfare case." He told her.

"That doesn't make me a good doctor, it makes me a good human being." Elizabeth went into her locker and grabbed her jacket. Robert smiled as he watched her.

"Have you had dinner yet?" Robert asked.

"What?" She asked sliding her jacket on.

"Dinner. It's something most people have sometimes after lunch." Robert said.

"I know what dinner is, Robert. No I HAVENT EATEN SINCE THIS MORNING." Elizabeth said. Robert smiled.

"Then I propose that we go get something to eat before we go home." Robert suggested. Elizabeth was skeptical, "I'll pay." She smiled softly and nodded.

"Let me call the babysitter and make sure she can stay a few extra hours." She said as they stepped out of the hospital.

"Fair enough." Robert was grinning form ear to ear. Elizabeth agreed to have dinner with him. It was a perfect night.

"April, it's me. Could you stay a few more hours? Thank you so much...Is she still up?" Elizabeth smiled as she spoke on the phone, "Let me stay goodnight...Sorry, she's about to go to sleep."

"Oh it's all right." Robert smiled showing her to his car.

"Hello sweetheart...I miss you too. Have you been a good girl for April?...Good girl. Are you in your jammies?...Good. Sleep tight, Pumpkin...Mummy loves you too...Good bye." Elizabeth hung up the phone.

"Everything all right?" He asked.

"Oh yes. Ella says she's been an angel." Elizabeth said.

"I'm sure it's true." He said as they got in the car. Elizabeth laughed.

"No two year old is an angel." She smiled as him. She watched him steer the car and pull out. She had never seen a one armed man drive a car before. "How do you use your directionals?"

"They're right here." Robert showed her the buttons on the steering wheel.

"Oh." Elizabeth blushed. Robert smiled at her.

"I love getting the good parking spaces." He winked at her. She chuckled softly.

"She where are we eating?" She asked.

"This little Italian place." Robert said. He wouldn't admit it but he had been hoping to bring her here for years.

"Great. I love Italian." Elizabeth said. Robert grinned. He had hoped that she was going to say that. They were silent the rest of the way to the restaurant. Robert requested a table far in the place. Elizabeth looked around. This was a romantic little place.

"Would you like me to order you some wine?" He asked. Elizabeth shook her head.

"Just water will be fine." She said as she looked over the menu.

"Their eggplant Parmesan is killer." Robert said.

"I haven't had that in years." Elizabeth found it on the menu, "Oh yes. It does look good. I think I will get that."

"Terrific. I'll get it also." Robert waved the waitress over.

"May I help you, sir?" The young woman asked.

"This lovely lady and I would like two waters, two orders of your eggplant Parmesan, and an order of your breadsticks." Robert told her.

"Certainly, Sir." She took the menus and left the two doctors alone.

"This was a great idea, Robert." Elizabeth told him.

"I'm glad you think so." He said looking at her, "I've been wanting to have dinner with you for awhile."

"I know." Elizabeth chuckled, "You never really asked me before though."

"It's never been the right time." Robert told her.

"And tonight? It was the right time?" Elizabeth asked.

"Maybe." He laughed softly. Elizabeth smiled as the waitress brought over their breadsticks and water. "Thanks."

"So, Robert, how are you really doing?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm good." He told her.
"Really?"

"Yes. I'm getting used to certain things. I'm good." Robert took a sip of his water.

"Good. I have been concerned about you. It sets my mind at ease knowing you claim to be good." Elizabeth winked at Robert. What a beautiful wink it was too.

"It's nice to know that you're concerned." Robert said. In a few minutes, their plates of food were put in front of them.

"Oh this does look great." Elizabeth picked up her knife and fork. She cut into the tender food. She slid some into her mouth. It was great. Elizabeth looked at Robert. He was struggling to cut the eggplant with he side of his fork. "Do you need help?"

"No. I have it." He said. Elizabeth sighed.

"Let me help." She stood up and went over to Robert. She took his knife and fork and cut the food into manageable pieces. Robert stared at her. She was a magnificent creature. "There you go." She smiled and sat back down.

"Thanks." He said.

"Never be afraid to ask for help." Elizabeth said. When it was help form her, he's always ask.

* * *

Robert followed Elizabeth up the porch steps to her front door. He had to make sure she got in softly. Elizabeth turned and smiled at him.

"Thank you for the great time, Robert." She told him, "I'm stuffed."

"Good. I knew you'd like that place." He told her. There was a moment of silence, "We should do this again."

"Most definitely." Elizabeth said unlocking the door. She looked at him and chuckled. He looked like a puppy dog, "we'll set something up tomorrow." She leaned over and kissed his cheek softly. "Good night, Robert." He cleared his throat.

"Good night, Lizzie." Robert smiled as he watched. Elizabeth walked in the house. Robert went to his car in seventh heaven. He couldn't wait for tomorrow so they could set up another date.