It Is You

By Melissa Larkin

Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I do not own ER, but I do own the characters of Sara and Erin Lewis, and Melanie Malucci.

Author's Note: Yes, this is a romantic Romano fic. I felt that he never really had anything good happen to him, so you're going to see a new side of Romano. He's happier and a lot nicer, but still the same old Robert Romano we all love. Enjoy the story and feedback is always welcomed!

Two weeks had passed since Sara and Robert's trip to the park, and neither had mentioned this incident. Robert had sent flowers to Sara at her office the day before and now, as he approached the door to the physical therapy room, wondered if it had been a good idea.

He pushed open the door and walked inside. Sara's face lit up when she saw Robert and she walked over to him. "Thank you," she said quietly. "They were beautiful."

"You're welcome," Robert replied as a wave of relief washed over him. "I'm glad you liked them."

"It made my day," Sara confessed. "It really meant a lot that you did that. Thank you again."

Robert blushed. He was beyond happy that Sara had liked the flowers, but wondered if she saw them just as a sign of friendship or as something more. Please be something more, he prayed silently.

"Well, shall we get down to work?" Robert asked as he cleared his throat. Damn nervous habit, he thought.

"Let's do it!" Sara said, and Robert was glad to see her enthusiasm was back. They began with stretching exercises on Robert's left arm. Robert loved the feel of Sara's soft hands on his arm but tried hard to hide his delighted expression.

"So, I assisted with some surgeries this week," he said. "It felt great to be back in the OR."

"That's wonderful!" Sara replied. "You're going to operate again soon, Robert. I believe in you."

"Thank you," Robert said gently. He and Sara locked their gaze on each other for a long moment, and it was as though nobody else existed in the room, or even the world, for that matter.

"Robert," Sara whispered.

Robert moved his hand and brushed a stray piece of Sara's hair back. "There," he said. "It was in your face."

"Thanks," Sara replied. She looked around the room at that moment and snapped back into reality. "We should, um, get back to work."

"Yeah, we should," Robert said, the disappointment evident in his voice.

Sara heard the sadness in Robert's voice and wanted nothing more at that moment than to wrap her arms around him. "Will you go somewhere with me when we're done here? I have a quick break."

I'd go anywhere with you, Robert thought. He nodded and replied "Yeah, okay."

"Good," Sara began, "because I think we need to talk."

Dread filled every inch of Robert's body. Usually 'we need to talk' was code for 'it's over, I don't like you in that way.' Robert swallowed hard and nodded.

"Okay," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

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Sara opened the door and Robert looked at her. "The hospital chapel?"

Sara nodded. "Yep. I come here when I need to think, or pray. I feel closer to God here." Sara walked over to a pew in the middle of the room. "Is this okay?"

"It's fine," Robert said, and thought to himself, 'Let's get the dumping over with.'

They sat on the pews and Sara stared straight ahead for a moment. Robert let her ready herself for what she had to say.

"There's something happening here, between us," Sara finally said. "And it's gone way beyond patient and physical therapist. I think it's beyond friendship, too."

Robert seized the chance and took Sara's hand in his. "I know," he replied.

Sara stared at her hand in Robert's and took a few deep breaths. "Robert, I'm a virgin. And if we're going to be together, you have to respect that I made a promise to God when I was in college that I'd remain one until I'm married. And being a Christian is very important to me." Sara looked up at Robert and saw a huge grin on his face. "What?"

"You want us to be together?" he asked.

"Well, yeah," Sara replied. "Don't you?"

"Uh, of course!" Robert said.

"Good," Sara said as she settled back into the pew. "I had feelings for you for a while, but today, in the therapy room…and just now, I knew it when you took my hand and I didn't want you to ever let go." Robert put one arm around Sara. "When did you know?"

"I was attracted to you when we first met," Robert began. "But I really knew it a couple of weeks ago in the park."

"When I told you about Erin?"

"And you began to cry," Robert said. "And I held you and just wanted to take all of your pain away. I knew then that I had very strong feelings for you."

"I was rambling and crying and you decided then that I'm the girl for you?" Sara smiled as she tucked her head into Robert's shoulder. "You're a keeper, Robert Romano."

"So the age difference doesn't bother you?" Robert asked tentatively.

"No, why would it? I'm thirty-two and you're forty-two. Ten years is nothing," Sara said. "The no sex until marriage doesn't bother you?"

"Not one bit," Robert said as he ran his fingers through Sara's hair. "I respect you considerably for that."

"Thank you," Sara replied as she laced her fingers through Robert's.

"You're my therapist for two more weeks," Robert stated. "I think that once we're done, I should take you out on an official first date."

"I have to wait two weeks?" Sara asked.

"I don't think the hospital is too keen on doctors dating their patients," Robert informed her with a smile.

"But I'm not a doctor," Sara began. "All right, I get it. I'll wait. Begrudgingly, I may add."

"And," Robert added, "I'm not going to kiss you until our first date."

"Not at all?" Sara said with a pout. Robert laughed, leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Okay, it's a start."

Robert's expression turned meaningful and he looked into Sara's green eyes. "Sara, I think this is very special, what we're starting here. I want to do it right. I want to court you, to take you out and show you how important you are to me."

"Court me? You're a romantic," Sara said as she snuggled into Robert's arms. "My guy is a romantic."

"I like that," Robert replied. "So you're my girl?"

"You bet," Sara responded. She looked at Robert's watch. "I only have twenty minutes until I have to get back."

"Do you have to do anything before then?" Robert inquired.

"Nope," Sara said. "Nothing at all. Just be with you." Robert felt there was nothing else to say, and kissed Sara's head again.

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Later that night, Robert walked Sara to her apartment. They stopped at the door and Sara unlocked it.

"I'll call you later," Robert said.

"And we can talk about our first date?" Sara asked, a wide smile on her face.

"Yes, we can," Robert replied. It was going to be hard not kissing her for two weeks, he thought to himself.

"I never once wanted our therapy sessions to go by slowly," Sara began, "but now I do. I want these two weeks to be over!"

"Me, too," Robert said as he drew Sara closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. She put her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes.

"Hi," she said softly.

"Hi," Robert replied. They both leaned forward, their foreheads touching.

"I don't want to let you go," Sara whispered.

"I know," Robert said. "It'll be worth the wait. Trust me."

"I do," Sara said as she leaned back. "I trust you."

"I trust you," Robert responded. "Now get into your apartment before I start kissing you and believe me, I won't be able to stop."

Sara laughed. "Oh, like I'd tell you to?" She opened her apartment door. "Okay, I'm going." Sara stepped into her apartment and turned to Robert. "I'm happy that you're my guy."

"And you're my girl," he said. Sara gently kissed Robert's cheek, not far from his lips. "Oh, yes, very happy."

"I thought so," Sara replied with a grin. "One more hug?"

"Absolutely." Robert hugged Sara once more and breathed in the smell of her shampoo. Strawberry, he thought. It's perfect for her.

Sara reluctantly broke from the hug and sighed. "I'll talk to you later," she said.

"Yes, you will," Robert stated. "And don't forget to lock your door."

"I never forget," Sara responded. "But I like that you're looking out for me."

"For my girl? Anything," Robert answered. He leaned in and gently kissed Sara's forehead. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Sara said. "Sweet dreams." She quietly closed the door and Robert waited to hear it lock, then walked off, a huge grin on his face.