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.

"Bookends Theme" by Simon & Garfunkel

"Occupational Hazards"
Chapter Fourteen By: Gretchen

His face was unreadable. "Go to her," he said.

Her heart was racing—from him, from the sex, from the sound of her child crying. All of the emotion wrapped itself around her heart and propelled her to her crying child.

Quickly, shuffling, adjusting and trying to wipe the flush from her cheeks, Elizabeth raced up to Ella's room where her daughter was sitting up in bed with a terrified look on her face. "Ella, sweetie, what's wrong?"

"Mommy, I had a bad dream.....you were gone! Goooone!" Ella sobbed and Elizabeth took her in her arms.

"It's all right, sweetie, she cooed, I'll never leave you." Elizabeth's fear of being caught in a compromising position faded. Her daughter needed her. She just had a nightmare. Their sexual antics may have woken Ella, but she didn't know what she heard. She just had a bad dream. Elizabeth soothed her daughter while simultaneously preventing herself from fainting with relief.

"Mommy, Mommy," Ella sniffled, and buried her head in Elizabeth's shoulder. Elizabeth's heartbeat was coming back to a regular pace. Her mind was filled with love for her child; everything else faded away. No worries. All that mattered was Ella's comfort and happiness. "Come, back to sleep, baby, my sweetie....." "Sing to me, mommy."

All right sweetie, Elizabeth started to hum softly, a lower song, perfect for her lower, alto voice. Rocking Ella, and started to slowly sing the first song that came to her mind....

"Time it was, and what a time it was, it was.....
A time of innocence. A time of confidences.
Long ago it must be, I have a photograph.
Preserve your memories. They're all that's left you......"

The last notes trailed off into a whisper as she tucked the sleeping child back into bed. Elizabeth softly walked out of Ella's room, turning back only once to see the child sleeping soundly. Her eyes filled with grateful tears, happy for such a beautiful child, thanking God for Ella.

She felt his presence even before she descended the stairs. The heat returned to her face and her knees felt a little wobbly. She found him in the living room, sitting on the couch fully dressed in rumpled clothing. His head was back and his eyes were closed. A soft smile lit his features. Her stomach flipped over in a way she was beginning to accept as a normal effect from just being around him.

Slowly, she slipped next to him on the couch, listening to his even breathing. His face was so relaxed. No tension lines, no sardonic words, no incredulously raised eyebrows. Just peace. She marveled at his strong jaw, his lips that had just recently made her feel as if she would explode with happiness, with love, with desire. That face. That man. I love him, she thought, and her stomach flipped again. She stroked his cheek lightly.

He woke, opening his eyes to hers, inches from his.

"Hi," he said in a gravelly voice tinged with sleep.

"Hi, yourself," she answered softly.

"Everything okay upstairs," he inquired.

"Yes," she whispered. "And down here, too."

"Shouldn't I.....We..." he started to say.

She put a finger to his lips. "Shhhh. You have to be at work in a few hours?" He nodded and sighed. "Sleep now, she said. Go home when you're ready."

"I may never be ready," he thought to himself, hoping his emotion was conveyed through his tired gaze. They shared a sleepy, secret smile and she snuggled next to him to catch a few hours of sleep before he had to get to the hospital again.

Elizabeth awoke with a blanket over her. The doorbell was ringing, the impatient babysitter on the other side. He had gone without waking her.