AN: I love everyone reading this, and I live for your reviews! This is my ER universe so things might happen earlier or later or not at all. Hahha :) Let's see if you guys can guess what song this chapter is based on :) And yes, the song at the end was written by our one and only Paul McCrane a.k.a Robert Romano. I also used Paul's and Alex's real birth months because i couldn't find Lizzie's and Robert's. If anybody did, please let me know :)
A month had passed and County General was busier than ever. Several new medical students arrived for their first day of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Chen and Dr. Carter shared the responsibilities of Chief Resident because there had been a tie on the Resident Committee, and the more supervision new students were given, the better. Several new faces appeared at County. OB Nurse Abby Lockhart started her first day as a Third Year Medical Student. Croatian doctor Luka Kovac filled in for a few days when the hospital was short-staffed.
The desk seemed to be having a party. The Nurses and doctors talked for a few minutes when they weren't swamped with criticals. Chuny, Yosh, Lydia and Haleh gossiped about the latest romances flying around County. Haleh complained about her her new promotion to Nurse Manager—filling the spot Carol Hathway had vacated when she moved to Seattle to be with her true love Doug Ross. Jerry chimed in that he had gotten a fax from the couple and that they were happy. Chuny and Malik talked about sports. Yosh and Lydia talked about how many times they'd been puked on today.
The entire ER staff was delighted that Kerry Weaver decided to take the day off. Luka and Abby struck up a conversation.
The biggest surprise came when Mark Greene picked up a new chart at Admit. He erased the patients that had been seen and discharged and wrote the new name on the board. He shook his head at his idle staff, happy that they were all close, but annoyed that he was the only one who seemed to be working.
"Is this where i check in?" the voice floated through the ER in gentle waves.
Mark dropped the chart. His pulse increased, his hands sweating.
"OH MY GOD! Susan, is that you?" John Carter rounded the corner from Curtain Area Two, a large smile plastering his face.
"It's me unless i was able to clone myself and be in two places at once." She laughed, taking off her coat, smiling at her friends.
John hugged her and Jerry spun her around. Mark stared, stunned that the woman whom he loved and had left was right there in front of him. He pinched himself and winced, knowing he was wide awake.
"Iowa just isn't as nice as Chicago," Susan said, raising her eyebrows at Mark, not even trying to hide the flirtatious tone in her voice. She was no longer the quiet Resident—she was the confident Attending who had survived in a male dominated hospital in the tiny county in Iowa.
"Are you just visiting?" Carter asked as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"I was actually hoping to apply for the opening here if you'll have me," Susan's eyes were full of hope and warmth.
Mark finally caught his breath, coughing and picking up the chart from the floor. "I'll meet you in the Lounge in twenty minutes." Susan nodded, and Mark headed to check on patients.
—
Robert Romano was in the dog house. He stood at the sink, scrubbing for his next surgery. He wore a pair of light blue scrubs and a surgical cap with rockets on it. The scrub room was lonely with just one occupant—normally there were four or five scrubbing at the same time. Normally, his Lizzie would be scrubbing right beside him and they'd banter. He was flying solo today—he had no problem with that because he was an Attending, but he wished to be able to see his favorite pair of eyes standing across from him, staring at him over the patient they both worked on, both trying to hide their blush from each other. These were the times he was grateful for stuffy surgical masks. He was away in his won thoughts, usually meticulous about his pre-surgery ritual, but so lost in his head that he failed to realize that he had scrubbed the same hand for ten minutes.
What a wonderful month it had been with his darling Elizabeth. In whatever free time they'd managed to gather at the same time, they were always together. Robert wined and dined her, taking her to movies, eating Chinese food with her every Tuesday. He would always watch her walk away, and he showered her with compliments. Elizabeth loved his devotion—getting drunk on it. She noticed the way he walked, his step bouncier and his ego as bit more elephantine, but Elizabeth thought it was adorable. Rocket was on a roll—great career, amazing girl. Elizabeth showered him with compliments, always keeping her word.
It hadn't all been roses. There had been fights, but they always made up. Two great people were bound to have disagreements, but they never held onto those arguments as ammunition. Their tough exteriors crumbled when they made up, and the next day they were back to being best friends. They struggled with keeping their relationship secret—it was perfect they way it was, and they feared the pressure would destroy it, and they knew how much trouble they could get in at work, specifically Robert, because he was now her supervisor and she was a resident. That kind of thing happened all the time, but the last thing Elizabeth wanted was to have him fired and his reputation damaged because of her. Of course, Robert didn't give a rat's-ass about the stupid policy, but she wouldn't be able to live with herself if that happened.
Everyone sensed something changed—their shared looks when they thought no one was watching, how close they stood to each other when they used to be on opposite sides of the room. Their softening personalities, and their refusal to answer any questions. Their stupid little spats in front of everyone that were laced with love and salacious undertones. Everyone knew they were acting—wondering how long they'd been seeing each other. Also, there was the fact that they didn't seemed shocked with the ER pool in which everyone had betted when they would get together. It had been going on for years, and was up to three thousand dollars. Most people suspected Romano betted the most money.
"You don't have to save me, Robert." she told him in an elevator one Sunday after finding out that Peter had applied for the Trauma Fellowship which had been her idea.
"You're an exceptional surgeon, Elizabeth. I would do anything in my power to have you stay in surgery, even if that means making myself as scarce as possible." he told her, snorting and looking at the floor. He really would, and he'd pretend that he was okay with it when it was destroying him. He'd fake it everyday if he had to for her. He loved her that much.
He told her that on a day long ago, when he knew he probably had no chance in hell of being with her. But it was true. H loved herm, and wanted to make her happy.
Elizabeth's castle crumbled overnight. His favorite red-head was on a rampage. Elizabeth fumed after confronting Robert about his little secret. He tried to defend himself, but she wouldn't have it. Robert hadn't told her yet about Anspaugh's decision to make Peter the Trauma Fellow because he didn't want to see Elizabeth's heart break over the news. He couldn't stand it because he knew that it was her idea and how bad she wanted it, he wanted to keep her even more. He didn't want to do surgery without her—didn't even want to be up on the Fourth floor if he couldn't see her beautiful face. He'd even offered her a Cardio-Thoracic Fellowship just to keep her. Elizabeth knew he couldn't be serious—Peter was a shoo-in for that too, but Robert reminded her that Peter had thrown his hat in her rice bowl so why shouldn't she do the same to him.
Peter was jealous of Robert's favoritism of her—miffed about Elizabeth's ending of their casual relationship without any sadness as if she was never really in it anyways. Truthfully, she hadn't been, and he seemed like a nice escape from Robert's vile character when she first met him. Her relationship with Peter was an excuse to ignore her feelings for the only man who had made her value her skills. She and Peter always competed over everything—not like her and Robert because they were on the same level, neither had anything to prove to the other. Peter always saw Elizabeth as someone who was trying to steal his glory. Peter even tried to use his son to screw up her career opportunities, and came us with some bullshit excuse about dating a white woman. He found happiness with PA Jeanie Boulet, and they had even moved in together after dating for about six months. Elizabeth was glad for him—they seemed good together, and the curly-haired PA was the only person who could break Peter's shell. It was even thicker than Robert's.
Robert just saw her as a woman who needed a strong man who complimented her personality. She deserved someone who was crazy about her, and someone who would do anything for her, even if that meant walking away from the career he loved to be with her. He pushed hard for her fellowship to be reinstated, pushed for her to get a decent resident, defended her from The Weasel Dale Edson, and eventually wore her down until she accepted the Cardio/Thoracic Fellowship.
Even Lucy Knight had been giving him problems.
Lucy Knight had almost become synonymous with torture. Lucy did exceptionally well in her surgical studies—advancing much quicker than most within a short amount of time. Robert mostly worked with her in his free time, which seemed to start at midnight now that he had more and more to do. Anspaugh rung him out for taking on a new student past the deadline and not notifying him. Robert had to remind the surgeon that he set the surgical schedule as Chief of Staff in his signature-brand of sarcasm, and Anspaugh had some choice words for the gifted surgeon.
Peter Benton refused to work with her, complaining about his need to focus on his newly appointed Trauma Fellowship and Reese. His jackass side was really pissing off Rocket Romano. Peter was a damned good surgeon, but he had changed in the last few months, and he suspected that the tall surgeon had noticed the shift between him and Elizabeth, and was less than happy with it. Peter thought that Romano was a megalomaniac. Rocket was done looking out for David Morgenstern's prodigy. He had his own problems.
Robert sighed as he dried his hands. Elizabeth hadn't appreciated being kept in the dark about Lucy or the increasing workload. She told Robert to stop being such a prick, and stormed off, slamming the door of his office several hours earlier. Elizabeth punished him for his transgressions by telling him that he was on his own for surgery today.
The door opened, and Robert wondered for a minute if it was his angel, but his face fell when he saw it was only Shirley. They'd annoyed each other at first, but over time, they'd become acquaintances, and she had just learned to accept Robert's snark. It was a part of him, and she knew that he must have some complexities underneath. You couldn't have his skills and be nothing but a hollow shell of a person. She'd seen a bit of his heart when Romano had stormed in the operating room last Christmas drunk and angry, yelling at Peter and asking him if he was holding Elizabeth hostage, how he loved his Bouvier Gretel and was adamant about doing her surgery himself.
Shirley helped him suit up, noticing the tired look on his face. Shirley kept quiet, knowing how much Robert hated pity—he hated it more than he hated anything else. She knew of his insane crush on Dr. Corday, and often teased him about it, but he didn't seem to mind. Rocket was normally loud during surgery, talking up a storm over the classical music he listened to during surgery, but he was uncommonly quiet today, and Shirley hated it. He wasn't himself today, and she wondered if something had happened with Elizabeth.
He began the surgery, noting the time. He was doing a Whipple. It would be a long six hours.
Surgery done. Patient stable in SICU. Robert's checked the board and saw that Elizabeth was still in surgery with Anspaugh. It was time he got out of the dog-house. He would fix everything like he fixed it everyday.
Walking to the Lounge, he threw on his coat, gathered his stuff and headed out to his Jaguar, a plan forming in his head.
—
Elizabeth stumbled through her front door, bleary eyed, not noticing the presents that awaited her. She was tired—yelling at Robert and avoiding him was exhausting. Rubbing her tired eyes, she stretched her hands above her head, and threw her stuff on the table. She headed for the bathroom—a bubble bath always made her feel better, and she needed to unwind.
Bath over. Unwinding complete. She was dressed in an over-sized shirt and sweat pants. She sipped her cup of tea, thinking about the brush with death she had almost suffered forty-five minutes ago when she tripped over the stuff on her doorstep.
Elizabeth jumped off the couch, suddenly wide awake. Her eyebrows almost flew off her head and she held her hair in place with a pink toothbrush. Curiousity bubbled inside her, and she flung open the door, noticing the objects.
A note. A single red rose. A small rectangular box.
His perfect handwriting scrawled on paper. The rose smelled like him—his alluring cologne sprayed on it and the paper. She sniffed both the items, relishing the smell she missed today. She missed the cute way he pouted when he didn't get his way, and he damn did he look adorable in his scrub cap with rockets on it. She loved watching him scrub when he wasn't looking—noticing the way his scrubs fell over his muscular arms, and she remembered she almost passed out the first time she'd seen it. He was so fine, and she ignored the quivering in her legs and heart every time he looked at her, and pretended that she found him loathsome.
My Lizzie,
I can only plead insanity for my behavior. I hope you'll forgive me for not wanting to hurt you. I would do anything to see you smile. I love you so much that it scares me to death. You're right. Didn't think i could admit that, did you? I know you're scowling right now. I acted like an ass. I missed you today, and i suffered through a lonely Whipple without my A-team. I hate Dancing With My Hands Tied.
You're sort of cute when you're angry.
—Your Robert
She knew how lucky she was having a man who worshiped the ground she walked on. She had never had that, and she smiled at the note. She rolled her eyes as she read it, and felt the anger fading. Robert really knew how to smooth things over, and he remembered how much she valued effort in a relationship. Robert always tried even if he was way off—he always made time for her even when he'd been up for 36 straight hours and was in desperate need of a shower and sleep. He always put her first, and it was sexy. Elizabeth returned his feelings, loving him unconditionally, seeing him when he felt invisible, seeing him when the luster of his career made him feel about five inches tall. She understood him when everyone else wouldn't take the time to. She never gave up on him, and he never gave up on her.
She laughed at his admission of guilt, and understood that he apologized in his own way. Rocket always apologized in grandiose ways, and Elizabeth loved when he would admit his shortcomings because he would reveal more and more of his heart.
Robert built a fire to keep her warm on her worst days. He protected her from all the jokers when they took swings at her. He loved her like she was brand new. All her worries, doubts, and fears faded when she looked at him. Even though they'd only been dating for a month, Elizabeth felt that they been dating ever since that fateful day in England. She would always run to him when she needed someone—and he was always there even when he shouldn't have been. He always told her the brutal truth, always being her friend when she would use him, and never said a word. Always hiding his feelings for her because he didn't want to hurt her. He was all she wanted, all she needed. Elizabeth promised herself to tell him the next time she saw him that his never hurt her.
Sighing in content, she set down the letter, and picked up the box. Her hands shook, but she opened it.
A beautiful silver locket smiled up at her. It was adorned with Robert Romano's initials and both of their birthstones—Aquamarine for Elizabeth and Garnet for Robert. She opened the locket, and snorted. Inside on the right side was the picture they'd snapped together that day in the OR over Kenny's body. The left side was engraved with Elizabeth's favorite stanza of poetry. A large smile plastered her face. She was reading a book of poetry in the lounge once, and hadn't realized Robert had come in and been listening.
When she put it around her neck, she looked in the mirror, admiring the way it fit near her heart as if it was meant to be there all long. Robert really did think of everything.
She took a sip of her cold tea, almost spitting out the gross liquid. She warmed it up because it was better when it wasn't an iceberg.
Elizabeth was lost in her dreams when she heard a voice outside her door. Robert. She hid on the other side, listening as his voice tumbled under the door. Music filled her ears, and she gasped.
Opening the door, she discovered the love of her life standing there, singing. Robert strummed the guitar as he smirked at her, his eyes focused ion the locket, his knees knocking together. "Is it okay if I call you mine? Just for a time..
And I will be just fine. He continued to serenade and she allowed him inside. He entered her apartment, sitting across from her as she sat down on the couch.
If I know that you know that I'm wanting
Needing your love
If I ask of you is it all right
If I ask you to hold me tight
She watched him dreamily as she folded her legs under herself. This is all a dream. It has to be.
Through a cold dark night
Cause there may be a cloudy day in sight
And I need to let you know that I might
Be needing your love
And what I'm trying to say isn't really new
It's just the things that happen to me
When I'm reminded of you
Like when I hear your name
Or see a place that you've been
Or see a picture of your grin
Or pass a house that you've been in
One time or another
It sets off something in me I can't explain
And I can't wait to see you again
Oh, babe, I love your love
And what I'm trying to say isn't really new
It's just the things that happen to me
When I'm reminded of you
"I see you got my present." Robert said a few minutes after he finished the song. Tapping his thighs, he waited.
She nodded, kissing him gently. "I forgive you."
"Good. Hell hath no fury like Lizzie Corday scorned." he laughed, returning the kiss, lingering on her lips, touching her cheek with a strong yet soft hand.
"You better believe it." she snorted. She touched the locket. "It's beautiful, Robert."
"Well, I figured it was about time that the world knew you were pining after me. Why do you think i wrote you a song." He clucked his tongue, his eyes full of whimsy.
"What? You wrote that for me?" her eyes brimmed with tears, his gift even more perfect. He poured his heart out to her, and disbelief held her tightly
He nodded. "I told you i wanted to be a musician. I wrote that after i got back to my hotel the day i met you in England. I'm sure your neighbors enjoyed it."
"Robert!"
"What, I've had lots of free time," he raised his eyebrows. "The whole unfrequented love thing. You should wear that everyday because you look marvelous." he pointed to the present just below her perfect hair.
She shook her head, and she bit her lip, nervous. "People will notice."
"So. Let them. Let them call it what they want to." he waved off her doubt, ready to take their secret relationship public, partially to rub it in Benton's face, and partially because he didn't know if he could keep the secret a any longer.
"Robert, we can't. What about your career?" she asked him, wanting his reassurance.
"I've told you as hundred times i'd give that up for you."
"I don't want you to." She crossed her arms, her face reddening at his stubbornness. She didn't want him out of surgery, not because of her. She wouldn't allow him to throw away what he'd spent his whole life building.
"I figured out a way to get around policy." he smiled mischievously, moving beside her on the couch.
"How? I'm a Resident and you're Chief of Surgery and Staff." she wanted to tell the whole world, but feared this would backfire for both of them. They both had so much to lose.
"Ahh. See. That's part of my brilliance. I need an Associate Chief of Surgery who also performs surgery." He looked her up and down until she got what he was saying.
"Are you suggesting that i promote myself?"
"Yes. This whole Residency thing is really a formality. It's not like people don't suspect were in a relationship anyways. This just makes it easier for us because you won't work for me, but we'll work together. You get the power, the office, the glory." He laughed softly. "And we won't have to keep us a secret. I don't think i can anymore." he admitted, taking her left hand, dreaming about the day when another piece of jewelry adorned her finger.
"Me either. Okay, i'll do it." He kissed her forehead, and she smiled at him.
"I'll see you in surgery tomorrow then, Dr, Corday?" he asked. Elizabeth knew he was asking if she would be ready to tell people tomorrow, and she gave in, knowing at some point it would come out. She was excited about her promotion, confident that he gave it to her because she actually earned it and not just to cover their asses.
"I wouldn't miss the opportunity to show you up." She laughed, wondering how tomorrow would go when they revealed their secret. She thought about who would the ER Pool. Probably Jerry.
"Be careful what you ask for, Lizzie." He tickled her and she squealed, trying to get away.
Robert was out of the dog-house.
