Authors Note: This is a group fan fiction written by the folks at the The Rocket Sanctuary ; a home for those who love the deliciously snarky Robert "Rocket" Romano, on ER (played by the very talented Paul McCrane). Each chapter is written by a different group member.

Disclaimer: "ER" and all its characters belong to Warner Bros. This story was written for the enjoyment of "ER" fans and no infringement of their copyright is intended. This story is Rated R, for language and sex.

"Occupational Hazards"
Chapter Eleven – By: Christina
"Well you did say it was my turn." Robert purred softly into Elizabeth's ear. She closed her eyes and allowed the warmth of his body to pour through her. It had been a week since Robert and Elizabeth had given into their cravings. The days that followed became a cat and mouse game of self- control.

He pinched and tugged at her nipples through the thin fabric of her bra and scrub top. Stepping closer he pinned her to the wall from his position behind her. He ground his pelvis against her buttocks. Slowly she counted in her mind, five... four... three... two... one. She tucked her arms in and rolled out of his embrace. "Thanks Robert. Taking that break for a moment there reminded me I have to pick up some bread on the way home from work." She stepped from the scrub room leaving him alone.

End of round. Point Elizabeth.

In the safety of the public hall she leaned against the railing and caught her breath. She was breaking and despite the confident air with which she could throw him off, she knew he was seeing her struggles. She had to take control of this situation. And not in a one-ups sort of a way. She needed to change the game. She took a deep breath and walked back into the room.

"Robert?" she asked softly not seeing him right away.

He sniffed once and shook his shoulders. He was facing an empty wall but as she took a step towards him he straightened and turned to her. "Elizabeth."

"Look, I'm off in about an hour. Would you like to join me for dinner?"

He looked at her confused and said the only thing he could think to say, "why?"

"Truth?"

"Would make for a welcome change."

"I'm neither a tramp or a teenager so I thought we could change things us a bit."

"But... I..." he stammered. The lack of security and control he showed in that moment was such a welcome change it made Elizabeth smile. He registered her amusement. "Oh shut up."

"My house around 9:00"

"9:00?"

"After I put Ella to bed."

"Ah, yes. 9:00 it is."

"Great." She turned to leave but the feel of Robert's hand on her shoulder stopped her. "Yes?"

With quiet sincerity he began, "I never took you for..."

"I know." She cut him off. "But just in case."

He didn't release her shoulder and after a moment of silence she turned to meet his eyes. They were dark but warm. The intensity caught her off guard. She tried to lighten the strength, "Robert, I just meant..."

"Shh..." he raised his finger to her lips. He then moved his hand to her forehead brushing back a lose curl. He moved in slowly.

Elizabeth watched every movement as if in slow motion. His eyes closed. His hand moved to the back of her head. His lips parted slightly. And with tenderness than she was sure he was completely incapable of, he kissed her bottom lip. His pulling away caught her off guard. She leaned in to kiss him again. To deepen the contact, to taste him. But he turned away from her to the exit.

"See you at 9:00." He said before pushing through the doors.

End of round. Point Robert.

Elizabeth had been careful after reading Koala Lou to wait until Ella's breathing became heavy before heading downstairs. Once she reached the final step she closed her eyes and brought her hands up. "Imagine walking into an unfamiliar home..." she spoke to herself. Elizabeth removed her hands from her eyes in an attempt to get a "fresh" look at the room. "Not bad... but it needs... something..." she paced around her dining room trying to figure out what would make this scene more perfect yet less cliché. She had found the linen tablecloth and the silver candlestick holders that she hadn't used since her Mother's visit last Thanksgiving. She knew that she was thinking too much. Adding too much pressure. But somewhere between the candles and the expensive wine from her rack this evening had become a compulsion. There was no turning back now. "Music!" she shouted in triumph.

She was on her seventh or eighth CD when she heard a confident knock on the door. She grunted and looked through the pile she had created. Finally, she put in the last one she had opened. She had already disregarded Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now Reprise as too romantic, but with Robert's second more aggressive knock, Elizabeth was prompted to stick something in before he left.

Elizabeth opened the door and uncontrollably took a lingering look up and down the length of his attire. He was dressed impeccably and she smiled, thankful that her decision to wear a short black dress did not come off as too formal.

"Flies, Lizzie."

"Huh? What?" She shook from her thoughts.

"You letting in..." he stepped into her home playfully, without the formal invitation. The sight of the lit candles and soft music caught him off guard. "...uh ... flies." He turned back to her and put on a more professional tone, "I wasn't sure what you were serving but this '94 merlot could always be held off for another night. It's a house specialty." He handed over the bottle

Elizabeth read the label aloud, "Romano's '94 Merlot from the vines of Tuscany. Your family owns a winery?"

"No actually, I do. It's a modest side business and I have very loyal employees."

"Robert, I had no idea."

She smiled warmly at him and for a moment he contemplated reaching out to her and pulling her to the floor in a feverish passion. How was he ever going to make it through the night? "Is that cilantro I smell?"

"Yes actually." She led him to the table. "It's a dish my great- grandmother taught me."

He pulled out a chair for Elizabeth and then took his own seat across from her. He stared ahead at the serving platter between them, "It looks intriguing."

"Well at 84 she had full use of her taste buds but her eyesight was fairly weak."

Robert laughed. Elizabeth took the opportunity to scoop some pasta onto his plate. "But really, try it. You'll like it."

"And if I don't, well at least you're medically trained." He mocked poking at the food and then recoiling as if it had done something abnormal.

"Chicken." She name-called.

"Oh is that what it is?"

"Shut up and eat."

"Yes Elizabeth." He took a slow bite and let it cool in his mouth before swallowing it down. "I'm sorry..." he stood from the table.

Elizabeth was filled with embarrassment. "Is it...? I'm sorry." She stood and tried to collect their plates away.

"No, no. It's fine. It's great." He took the plates from her and set them back down on the table. He let his hand linger with hers for a moment. Then with a squeeze he finished, "I just... well I'm afraid I am going to have to insist upon the wine I brought."

She looked at him skeptically.

"Trust me." He let go over her hands and took the bottle he had brought into the kitchen to open it,

Elizabeth let out a comforting sigh. And realizing that he had walked into her kitchen she spoke up, "the cork screw is in the third drawer down closest..."

He pushed through the door with the open bottle in hand. "...Closest to the refrigerator. I found it." He walked up next to her at the table and filled her glass about a third of the way. Then her leaned down and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Sorry couldn't resist any longer." He walked over to his side of the table and filled his own glass before taking his seat again.

Elizabeth blushed. She took a bite and smiled at Robert before drinking down a taste of the merlot. The pasta and wine were a perfect compliment of one another.
You can find more of Christina's Fanfiction at:
www.fanfiction.net/Christina12