House Of Cards

It's raining in France. A lot. Ergo more writing time, ergo you get a mid week update...enjoy!

Chapter eight -

Tick-tock, tick-tock. On and on it went, regular as...well, as clockwork. Tick, bloody, tock. Incessantly loud, breaking the silence as she lay awake staring up at the ceiling.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. Driving her crazy. Eroding her patience. Ramping up her annoyance. Accentuating the passing of time, of every minute, of every hour that she was not sleeping. She squeezed her eyes shut once again, and once again she saw him, saw them.

She saw his eyes drifting to her lips and just as quickly moving off again...but not quickly enough. She'd seen it, she'd noticed. Maybe it had been the wine. Maybe the body heat they'd created as they'd laid there together. Maybe it had been the moonlight spilling all around them. Maybe it was the feeling of freedom that came from being in a strange place where no-one knew her, knew them. Maybe it was the feeling of his face in her hand as her fingers traced down his cheek to his lips. It was almost magical and she wanted to stop the clock, stop time and bottle the moment forever, but tick-tock, tick-tock, time marched on. She reached for the vacant pillow next to her and stuffed it over her head to mute the noise. Whiffs of sandalwood and black pepper assailed her senses, reminding her of him and she breathed it, breathed him, deep into her lungs. The pillow only reinforced the fact she was alone, and she launched it at the clock.

She missed, but succeeded in toppling over the glass of water sat next to it on the table, spilling its contents over the floor.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. She cursed the hands of time and got up to deal with it.

888888888

"What a complete and utter waste of my time! A first year med student could've told you this wasn't even remotely a surgical candidate!"

Greg Pratt openly scowled at her over the patient, as Elizabeth gave him a dressing down with both barrels of her fury. Haleh wisely chose to keep her head down, busying herself with blood pressure readings as Abby slipped quietly from the room.

"In future, I suggest you do your actual job before wasting my time!" Elizabeth finished her rant, turned on her heel and left, banging hard on the double doors to part them, with far more force than necessary.

Haleh, blew air through her lips and smirked. "Well, that's you told."

"What the hell's her problem!?" Pratt snarled as he watched her leave. "Time of the month screwing with her brain? Bring back Romano I say! At least he didn't have..."

Haleh's head shot up and fixed him with a warning glare. She shook her head very slowly at him and he rolled his eyes upwards. Ripping off his gloves, he muttered something under his breath and stalked out off the trauma room. Elizabeth was now stood by the reception desk talking to Susan Lewis and he headed over towards them.

"Oh, you look like hell!" Susan said to Elizabeth.

"Well, thank you very much!" she snapped.

"Heey," Susan said, holding up submissive hands in front of her. "Don't bite my head off!"

"Sorry," Elizabeth muttered. "I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Doctor Corday?"

Elizabeth bristled at the voice and turned to see Pratt staring at her. "What do you want now?!" she said impatiently.

He looked briefly to Susan for support and finding none, turned his head back to Elizabeth. "I didn't appreciate being spoken to, the way you just did back there…"

"Didn't you?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well then, allow me to explain it to you once again in words that you can understand! Do Your Job Before Wasting My Time. Now, grow up and go away!"

Susan swallowed her laughter at Pratt's expression, but Frank was not so diplomatic and snorted loudly. Pratt glowered at him, then puffed himself up with indignation, and stepped forward into her personal space. He opened his mouth to speak, but Elizabeth stepped forward herself and pointed a finger in his face. "I would advise you to think very, very carefully before you open your mouth!"

Susan stepped in and shoved the clipboard she was holding into Pratt's hands. "Curtain three...go now!" Then she grabbed Elizabeth's arm. "C'mon, lets go get you a coffee," she said, steering them towards the Doctor's lounge.

"I think maybe, you're spending too much time with Romano, Elizabeth! You're beginning to sound like him!"

Elizabeth blew out some air and sighed heavily. "Sorry," she said, running a hand over her face.

"So what's up?"

"I guess I'm just a little wired at the moment. What with idiots like Pratt, and all the extra paperwork and bull shit that comes along with Chief of Surgery, I didn't get much sleep last night."

"You need to relax."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "I know," she sighed, and then instantly brightened as an idea came to her. "Hey, do you fancy coming round to mine tonight. We can have a girls night in and have a proper catch-up?"

Susan's face twisted with regret. "I already agreed to drinks with the girls afterwards, but hey, why don't you come with us? You look like you need to blow off some steam. What'd you say?"

"I'd have to get a babysitter..."

"Can't you ask Romano?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "No, he's in L.A all week," she grumbled.

"Ahh," Susan said, and wondered if that fact was in fact, the real source of her bad mood. "Well then, ask Kris to watch Ella a bit longer. We'll go out with the others and then you can cry off when you need to leave. How's that sound?"

It sounded perfect and she said so.

888888888

Elizabeth could hardly hear herself think over the noise. The bar was packed, and you had to practically yell to be heard over the music. It was exactly the distraction Elizabeth needed. Robert was away having a check up with Doctor Symons and sneaking in a longer visit to his sister, as his niece was also going to be there. Elizabeth had thought she was going to enjoy some quiet time in the house, but had soon discovered it was overrated. Susan returned to the table with another round of margarita's, and a coke for Abby. They all reached forward and grabbed the glasses.

"Cheers!"

"Bottoms up!"

"So what's going on with you and Carter then, Abby?" Elizabeth asked. "Luka said he's thinking of going to Africa with him?"

An unhappy Abby, clearly not wanting to talk about it, shrugged and decided to change the subject. "Nothings decided yet. What about you Susan?"

Susan looked up from her drink. "What about me?"

"How's your love life?"

"What!" she spluttered, raising her hand in time to catch the margarita she spat out.

Abby smirked above the rim of her glass. "Gone on any more blind dates?"

Elizabeth smiled as Chuny and Haleh sniggered.

"No, no more blind dates for me, and definitely no more vegans!" Susan said, then gamely sighed over dramatically. "In fact, I think I'm destined to die all alone...all the good ones are definitely taken. Or, maybe I should just lower my expectations? Hey, do you think if I drink enough of these," she said, raising her glass. "Maybe even Frank will look attractive?"

A chorus of, "Ewww!" rang out as they all screwed up their faces and started laughing.

Chuny giggled. "Well if we're going there...has anyone else noticed Romano of late?"

All eyes turned towards her and she looked a little embarrassed. She waved her hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter. Forget I said anything."

"No, no...go on," they egged her on.

"Well...I mean, is it just me, or is Romano looking a bit buff these days?"

"Oh, it ain't just you," Haleh said cheekily and proceeded to slurp from her glass loudly.

Elizabeth's mouth fell open.

Over the last few months, he'd been working out more with the new physical therapy, but also discovered a love of tai-chi. His regular trips out to California, had also coloured his skin nicely and he was looking fit and healthy. The fact other people were noticing took her by complete surprise though.

"Hey, maybe you should ask him out Susan?" Abby said, smiling mischievously.

Susan flicked her eyes in Elizabeth's direction and smiled slyly. "Why not? He's actually not bad looking..."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and took a sip of her drink.

Openly grinning now, Susan continued. "You knooow…he nearly asked me out once."

It was Elizabeth's turn to spit out margarita, as a chorus of surprised 'What?!' and 'When?!' rang out.

Susan leaned back into her chair, holding court and grinned playfully. "Yeah. When I first started back at County we had some fun conversations and I liked his sense of humour."

"Yeah, yeah," Abby waved her hand. "Get to the part where he nearly asks you out!"

"Well we were kinda stood flirting with each other by the admit desk one day, and he was telling me he was in the 'Polar Bear Club'. He said I should try it and I think he was going to ask me to go with him...but then Kerry came over and started being all Kerryficious, and what can I say? The moment was lost." She pouted for effect.

"So, he never actually asked you out?" Elizabeth established.

Susan laughed. "Why? Jealous?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Elizabeth said snootily.

Chuny, Abby and Haleh exchanged a knowing glance and giggled.

Fortunately for Elizabeth, she was saved further embarrassment as a new song started and Chuny stood up. "Oh, I love this! Who wants to dance?"

Abby and Haleh got up and Susan started to rise too. She looked at Elizabeth. "Are you coming?"

Elizabeth shook her head and glanced at her watch. "No, I really should get going and relieve Kris. I only intended to stay for a couple of drinks."

"Well, at least stay and finish your drink before you go," Susan said, sitting back down.

Elizabeth smiled and nodded.

"I'll be up for the next one," Susan said and waved to the others, who nodded and left for the dance floor. She turned back to Elizabeth. "So Romano seems to be getting a handle on things."

Elizabeth lowered her glass. "What do you mean by that?"

"Just, exactly that. He seems happier of late. And he's certainly playing nicer with others….I even heard the nurses saying he's doing a good job with the changes he's brought in. Actually listened to their concerns and actually tried to address them. They're impressed."

Elizabeth smiled pleased to learn that his efforts were not only being noticed, but appreciated too.

"So, how are you two?"

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, c'mon don't play coy with me. He's happy, you're happy...you're basically living together. Are you still trying to tell me that nothing is going on between the two of you?"

"That's precisely what I'm telling you...and we are not basically living together. In fact, I'd say we spend less time together now since he had his surgery."

"That was over two months ago?"

Elizabeth nodded. "Yeah."

"How come?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "I guess he's just busier than he was before. He's taken more of an interest in work and between the new PT, and his newfound love of tai-chi, I suppose he doesn't have as much free time."

"Tai chi?" Susan laughed. "Somehow, I can't picture him doing anything like that!"

Elizabeth smiled proudly. "You should see him...he's really very graceful," she said, and Susan watched as her face took on a strange, almost dreamy expression. She closed her eyes and recalled the morning she'd woken earlier than usual, surprised to see him not lying beside her. She'd figured Ella must have got him up and went off in search of them, but then spotted Ella still sleeping as she passed her room. As she descended the steps, a warm breeze drifted up to meet her and she realised the French doors must be open. She knew he must be out the back, and had carried on to confirm, but the sight that greeted her had stopped her dead in her tracks.

Robert was on the decking doing something quite magical. That's all she could think of to describe it. She watched transfixed, as he moved in slow, deliberate, precise movements. He seemed to glide as he turned and stretched in an intricate, well-rehearsed dance. Wearing only black shorts, she could see each muscle as they strained, and flexed. He'd slide his foot, transfer his weight, shift and change direction. His arms moved gracefully through the air in one direction, as his legs lowered and extended in another. More balance, more shift, a new direction and she found herself stepping out of sight behind the drape, feeling a little voyeuristic, but equally not wanting to stop watching.

He'd carried a few extra pounds after his injury, but even then she would never have described him as unfit. Since their return from California though, he'd been invigorated. Buoyed up by the new prognosis, he'd started jogging again, and she remembered his enthusiastic excitement when he'd learned his new occupational therapist practised Tai Chi. Together, they had come up with an adapted version and this was obviously the result. He was looking lean and bulked out in all the right places. The morning sun lit up his skin, which was glistening by now under his labours. It screamed masculinity and yet she knew it to be soft, and she'd wanted to reach out, to touch it, to touch him….

"Earth to Elizabeth!" Susan said, waving a hand in front of Elizabeth's eyes.

She blinked and shook her head bringing herself back to the now. She found Susan watching her with a bemused grin.

"Well, all of that sounds to me like he's getting himself fixed up at last. So why do you look like your kitten just died?"

Elizabeth sighed heavily. "I don't know. I can't really put my finger on it, but its since he started therapy. He just seems a little...distant?"

Both of Susan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, rewind….Romano's in therapy?!"

Elizabeth groaned and cursed herself. "Oh, God! You mustn't say anything Susan! Promise me!"

"Of course I wont say anything...but Elizabeth, its a good thing, right? I'm just amazed you got him to agree to it!"

"I didn't," she said quietly. "It was his new doctor."

Susan looked sceptical. "Oh, I think you'll find you had more to do with it than you think."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean he's doing it to make you happy."

"No, it means he wanted the new treatment and it was obligatory."

"So, is it helping?"

Elizabeth nodded. "I think so. He stays over a lot less now, but when he has, he's not woken me up...so he must be sleeping through."

"You really miss him don't you?" Susan said. It was more of a statement than a question.

Elizabeth would normally close this conversation down now and change the subject, but the truth of the matter was, she didn't want to. She needed this, needed to talk about him, and these feelings she'd been developing for him of late. She nodded and sighed heavily. When she looked up, she saw Susan watching her closely. "Am I being silly?

"Why would it be silly? You're here, he's over there and you miss him. Don't you think its time you told him?"

"What, that I miss him?" Elizabeth snorted. "No, thank you, his ego is big enough already."

Susan grinned. "True, but that's not actually what I meant. I mean, tell him that you want to be more then friends?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened.

"Oh, spare me the wide-eyed shock. Do you or don't you?"

Elizabeth closed her eyes. Was it that obvious? She nodded. "I think so, yes."

"So then tell him."

"I can't."

Susan shook her head. "Of course you can. Boy meets girl, girl asks boy out…it's really not that difficult."

"It's really not that simple," she countered.

"Why?"

"Because, we both agreed when we started this friendship that neither of us wanted anything more than that."

"Yeah, but that's because you were both damaged and in bad places at the time. You were still grieving over Mark, and you've told me Robert wasn't coping very well?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"Well that's not the case any more is it? Somehow you've managed to help heal each other and you're both happy. To any casual observer who saw you guys together, they'd have to be forgiven for thinking you weren't already together. So tell him that you've changed your mind and that you now have feelings for him."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm just not convinced he'd be willing to jeopardise our friendship to start something."

"One, he's a man, so duh," Susan counted off on her fingers. "And two, don't you think he at least should be given the choice?"

Elizabeth shrugged and Susan decided to try another tack. "You must have some idea of how he'd react. In all the time that you two have spent together...have there never been any slip-ups? Not caught any looks of longing when he thinks you're not looking? Not accidentally bumped into you just so he could touch you?"

"You're making fun of us now."

"No, I'm not. Has he seriously never tried to kiss you?"

Elizabeth closed her eyes and smiled fondly, as she transported herself back to that moonlit beach from months ago.

When she opened her eyes, she found Susan scrutinizing her. "Well, that was a lengthy pause."

"He's never tried to kiss me, but…"

"But?"

"We did have a 'moment' once."

Susan grinned and punched the air with her fist. "I knew it! Go on then...details."

Elizabeth breathed in deeply and blew out the air slowly. "It was when I went to LA with him for the consultation. We'd gone out to dinner afterwards to celebrate the news, and well, its a cliché I'm afraid... we had too much to drink and there was a moment where I thought he might kiss me."

"But he didn't?"

She shook her head.

"And if he had?"

"Ifs, don't matter because he won't cross that line Susan."

"Even though, he may want to and even though, you may want him to?"

Elizabeth nodded. "He'd be scared of my reaction...of the possibility of losing me and Ella and he won't take that risk."

"So then you need to remove the risk for him. Tell him you're attracted to him...I mean you are attracted to him, right?" she said, wiggling her eyebrows for effect.

"Well, I know you are!" Elizabeth snorted.

Susan laughed. "I knew that made you jealous! So, answer the question Elizabeth...Do You Find Robert Romano Attractive?"

Elizabeth grinned at her but refused to answer.

"Fine, be like that but I already know the answer. Let me ask you a different question. What if Robert meets someone else, falls in love with them even...what would you do then? Would you be happy for him and send him on his way, or would you be upset...jealous?"

"I, err...I'd be happy that he's happy and I wouldn't want to lose our friendship."

"Elizabeth."

"Okay, fine! I guess, theoretically I would be jealous."

"Because…"

"I'm not playing this game any more."

"Well, then, it seems to me you're going to both carry on as you are until he meets someone new...and he will meet someone, Elizabeth, trust me on this. When even the likes of Chuny and Haleh, who know better than most, just how bad he can be, are now noticing him? He's an attractive, eligible doctor and with this whole new life thing he's working on at the moment, he's not going to be short of women wanting to give him their numbers...unless you tell him how you feel first."

Elizabeth looked down at her hands. She'd never even considered the possibility of him meeting someone else and it reflected in her face.

Susan smiled triumphantly. "So to recap...he won't make a move because he doesn't want to risk losing you, which means if you want things to change, you're going to have to be the one that starts it...what would he do if you just kissed him?"

Elizabeth's ego answered her in less than a nanosecond. "He'd probably kiss me back."

Susan sat back in her chair and folded her arms smugly across her chest. "Case and point. The defence rests."

TBC