April 1998
"Dr. Romano?" the secretary knocked on his door, and Robert glanced up.
"What is it?" he asked shortly, returning his attention to the paperwork he was reading.
"Dr. Ross called while you were at lunch - how was lunch by the way?" she asked politely, but Robert still didn't look up.
"Lunch was just fine," he replied, his voice surprisingly cold. "Do you intend on telling me what Dr. Ross wanted, or must I try to read your insignificant mind - or guess?" he said, finally looking up. His secretary bristled, accoustomed to his jabs but not to his sudden cruel tone.
"He wanted you to go see Jordan McCullen."
"Well that part I could've guessed; did he happen to say why? Oh wait, let me guess again," he said, putting his fingers to his temple and squinting his eyes mockingly. "She's not eating," he suggested sharply, and his secretary sighed shakily.
"Actually, he said that he thinks she might be depressed," she said in a defeated tone.
"With the life she's had I'm surprised she isn't clinically insane by now," Robert snapped as he stood up, and the secretary back away so he could walk out of the door. "If Dr. Ross happens to call again, inform him that I'm not a psychiatrist and that if he thinks his patients are depressed, then he should contact one - a psychiatrist that is, not a patient," he said shortly as he headed towards the elevator.
"Are you going to see her?" the secretary asked, and Robert shot a derisive glare at her.
"No, I think I'll just ride the elevator up and down for a few hours, the elevator music really entertains me," he deadpanned as he disappeared behind the elevator doors, leaving his secretary staring tiredly after him.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jordan sat staring at her reflection in the mirror, slowly bringing her fingers up to touch the thin skin on her face. She thought that she looked like she belonged in a concentration camp instead of a hospital. For the most part, she was bald; her hair was too thin to rightfully be called hair anymore. Her mouth was dotted with sores from the chemotherapy, and her skin pulled tight and ashen over her bones.
"Hey Tiny Tim, I heard you're feeling down," the familiar voice sounded from the doorway, and Jordan forced her eyes away from the reflection. Robert smiled briefly at her, but she could see automatically that something was wrong.
"Hiya Rocket Man, what's cookin'?" she responded, and Robert shook his head.
"It took you five months to hear about that? I'm ashamed at you," he said as he walked over. As usual he glanced over at her food tray, and he forced himself to smile when he saw that it was partially empty. "I'll assume you didn't feed it to the dog," he said and Jordan chuckled.
"I'm sorry, you weren't here for me to feed it to," she replied, and Robert raised his eyebrows.
"Ouch, I'm hurt," he said flatly, and Jordan was surprised that he didn't respond with his own little jab. Turning her wheelchair completely around she faced him, tilting her head.
"What's wrong?" she inquired, but Robert just walked a few steps away.
"Nothing," he replied shortly, rearranging some of the stuff in her room. Jordan noticed this and sighed, managing to wheel herself over to his side.
"Liar liar pants on fire," she said in a tired voice, and he looked away again.
"I can feel the maturity level in this room rising."
"Oh really, I thought it fell quite considerably when you entered," she shot back, and he frowned. Jordan paused, studying him, and then a small smile broke out onto her face. Biting her lip she forced herself to conceal it, and she tilted her head in question. "How was lunch with Dr. Corday?" she asked him, her voice slightly taunting.
"It was fine," he replied in the same short voice, turning away again. Jordan sighed and rolled her eyes, starting to turn the wheelchair again.
"Oh I give up," she muttered, slumping back into the seat in exhaustion. "Robert, come over here!" she said sharply, and he looked up in surprise. "I'm not chasing you around the whole goddamn room, stay in one place," she snapped irritably, and he stared at her.
"Are you alright?" he asked her, and she snorted.
"You answer first," she replied. Robert glared at her, but she glared right back.
"Nothing is wrong."
"Liar."
"Would you stop calling me that?"
"Only if you tell the truth."
"I said nothing's wrong."
"How was lunch today?"
"I already answered that," Robert said through clenched teeth, and Jordan rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on Robert, you and I both know that something happened. I've seen the way you look at 'Lizzie', as you call her - why you call her that is beyond me," Jordan started to say, but went back on subject with a dissmissing wave of her hand. "You like her, and there's nothing else to it," she said, and Robert clenched his fist slightly.
"I'd be sure I was telling the truth before I said things like that, Little Miss Cant-Be-Wrong," Robert said, trying to conceal his irritation with humor. Jordan just glared at him and shook her head.
"Well Mr. I-Think-Out-Of-My-Ass, I am quite sure that I am telling the truth," she snapped. "And I'm-"
"I asked her out on a date," Robert interrupted her suddenly, and Jordan blinked in surprise. "She turned me down of course, it was stupid of me to ask," he said in a cold voice, and Jordan sighed.
"I'm sure she -"
"Oh, I see the way she looks at Benton, I'm gonna catch her on that. 'I don't date collegues' my ass," Robert continued strongly, and Jordan's eyes flared up a bit.
"You can't blame a person for liking one person and not another," she said, and Robert glared at her.
"No, but you can blame them for lying," he snapped as he walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice suddenly quiet and nervous. Startled by the change in voice, Robert glanced over his shoulder at her.
"Well I was going to go finish the paperwork I had started, but now I've remembered my reason for coming down here in the first place," he said with a sigh. "And it wasn't to be harassed about lunch or to be verbally abused," he said with a glare towards Jordan.
"Harassment and verbal abuse; you can dish it out but you can't take it," Jordan replied, and Robert clenched his teeth slightly as he walked over next to her.
"Jordan, I've never been big on patience, and it's running dangerously low right now," he growled and Jordan sighed. She shrugged and turned away again, putting her hands on the wheels of her wheelchair.
"So go then, I wouldn't want to be a burden," she muttered, and Robert sighed.
"See this is why I prefer my patients unconcious, they can't give you migranes that way," he said, and Jordan squinted at him.
"I think I should be offended by that."
"You think, wow that's a shock."
"No wonder Dr. Corday wouldn't date you, you ass," Jordan said harshly, and Robert managed to refrain from making a biting comment.
"I'm not here to argue with you Jordan," he said in a strained voice, and she raised her eyebrows.
"Oh really? Could've fooled me," she replied, and Robert sighed.
"Dr. Ross informed me that he thought you were feeling down," he started, and Jordan snorted. "Now I'm not a psychiatrist or anything, but you don't seem to be quite yourself today."
"Oh really? Who am I then, the Dhali Lama?" Jordan replied, and then sighed when Robert's glare didn't change. "Oh come on, look at me," she said, gesturing to herself with her left hand. "I look like a circus freak."
"I would've opted for Holocaust survivor."
"You're making me feel a lot better," Jordan said sarcastically.
"Well at least I didn't agree on the circus freak comment," Robert pointed out, and Jordan shrugged. "Listen, you look like crap - so what?" he asked.
"Wow, you really do suck at this whole comforting thing, don't you?" Jordan said dryly.
"It doesn't matter how you look; be thankful you're alive, because you've come close to loosing your life a few times so far. Especially with the not eating stints you keep on pulling," he continued, ignoring her statement.
"But I'm going bald -"
"Join the club. Would you like a trophy?"
"Only if it's gold so I can pawn it for a hair piece later," she said, repressing the urge to chuckle slightly. With a sigh she tilted her head and rubbed her temple gently with one finger. "I guess this is when I ask my parents if they'll send me my old wigs?"
"I guess so," Robert said, and he saw the sadness in her eyes. "I'm sure you'll be fine," he said warmly as he squeezed her shoulder gently. She was surprised by the fatherly motion, but nonetheless comforted. "If you've proved nothing else to me in your months here, you've shown me that you're a fighter - and a brat, and annoying - "
"Well I learn from the best don't I?" she cut him off, and he could see the wry smile in her eyes.
"A few more months and I'll have you terrorizing the nurses," he said as he turned to leave. Her eyes watched him walk away, and she furrowed her brow slightly.
"Robert?"
"Yes?"
"Don't let it get to you," she said, and he tilted his head in question. "The whole thing with Dr. Corday.I mean, if it's meant to be then it's meant to be, but if it's not.don't let it ruin you. You don't know if she's with Benton," she said, and after a pause he nodded.
"Advice taken," he said. "Now I have some advice for you."
"I'm all ears."
"You knew the effects of chemo before you came in here.don't let them get you down. You won't have even a fighting chance if you're willing to let the cancer get the best of you," he said, and Jordan nodded.
"Spoken like a true doctor," she said, but she smiled at him. "I'll see you around?" she said, and he nodded.
"After I make a point of ripping Benton a new one," he said, and Jordan shot him a warning glare. "Alright alright, I'll play nice," he said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I'll just insult him a few times," he winked as he walked into the hallway.
"And that's different from what you do everyday how?" she said after him, not getting a response. With a sigh she glanced back in the mirror, touching what was left of her hair again. Slowly she wheeled herself over to the phone, her hand pausing as it touched the cool plastic. After a pause she lifted it up, cradling it with her right hand as she punched the buttons with her good arm. Cringing as she heard the phone ringing, she was relieved when she heard her brothers voice.
"Hello, Christopher? Is mom or dad home? I need them to drop off something for me."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------
**A Note From Sterlin**
That chapter may have seen unimportant, but it will really set the ground for a lot of the future chapters. I know I'm skipping months at a time here, but I doubt you lovies really want me to do a detailed fanfiction of the time between November 1997 and present day (actually, past present day, but I won't get into any spoilers ~_^). So I thought I'd take some time out before I move onto the next chapters (which will move along a little quicker and will have more drama, angst, and hey even a little violence (you'll be surprised about who it is, unless you already know). And I can promise many more chapters, although I can also promise a big break of a few months (at least) after next February's chapter so that none of us (yes, myself included) go insane waiting for the 'RomanoChop' to be written about.
Emdroberts - Glad you like it! There'll be plenty more coming.
Rocket Launcher - Oh, the Sultan of Snark has not finished tearing into Shortcake's parents, not in the slightest. Stay tuned for more Parent- Bashing in the next couple of chapters.
Lady Iapetus - Yes, but I have seen more and more popping up (may I recommend little_miss_writers Out of the Cold and Rocket Launcher's High Risk Behavoiur if you're in the mood for some Robert - Elizabeth stories). Oh and thanks for pointing the chapter thing out, ff.net has been driving me off my rocker recently but I fixed it.
Lasplx - The penguins are slowly stealing my sanity - but I managed to get the one who took your shoelace. Do you want it back? Or shall I give you a spellcheck instead? **ducks** don't hurt me. Thanks for letting me run my many ideas by you - I have yet another! Why are you sleeping! I had to speak to.**whispers** Dianna!!!!!
Badgermilk - Interesting name. I poke badgers with sporks =). Anywho, thanks for your comment ^_^ I'm glad that my fanfiction made you see Romano differently, I'm quite proud of myself now.
Gemma - Thanks, I try for originality. Of course, being a horse-back rider myself, the accident probably didn't have the best effect on me (I had a near heart-attack when a horse reared the other day with my friend on it's back) but it certainly got Jordan into the OR and into Romano's hair (well, whats left of it anyway). Thanks again =)
JohnnyDeppLover - I mourned for Dr. Greene too; and I promise you, he will have his appearance in this story! I couldn't bear the thought of writing a fanfiction without my beloved Dr. Greene being in it (actually he'll play a rather major part methinks, but I don't want to give out spoilers and I haven't gotten that part worked out completely yet). I'm glad you like it so far!
UsagiPrincess - Oh no, he is an arrogant weasel ~_^ But he does have a heart too **cough**. I'm glad that I can make you laugh and that you enjoy the story, you'll have plenty of updates to look forward too. I know this chapter was a little lacking in the straight-out humor department (in my opinion anyway; this chapter was surprisingly hard for me to write) but the next few should be highly entertaining. Thanks for your reply!
Anna - Ah yes, Romano and Carter: a match made in heaven. I promise that Carter will be involved much more in the next few chapters (almost wrote episodes there, oops); in fact he's going to have his own chapter sort of, I'm interested to see what you think of it.
Not-So-Dumb-Blond - Romano is rather hard to write for, but I'm glad you guys seem to like what I've done with him. You guys seem to flatter me into writing more chapters when I really should be doing my homework ~_^ As for you writing a fic, go ahead with it, take the risk! LoL He may be hard to characterize, but he's sure as hell fun to write.
Kathy Vullis- Why thank you! I'll try and bang out the next few years quickly (quickly as in, one or two weeks) and get on up to the RomanoChop, I have a lot planned for that little bit of ER writers cruelty!
Kristerina - Thanks ^_^ I was a bit worried about how the last chapter would be received (as I am with this one), but you guys have certainly quelled my fears.
And to everyone: Thanks soooo much for reviewing! I've put a lot of effort into the story, and it's very rewarding to read these great reviews day after day. I know I have those spelling and grammer mistakes, I'm a ditz (but the word.word should really be word. . .word, I don't know why that doesn't show up and I use it too much to catch every one); I'll try and catch them more often though. Thanks again for reviewing, and stay tuned for the next chapter!
Oh, and I'm looking for a proof reader for my chapters on occasion (and someone to run my ideas by, aside from Lisa; I feel bad harassing her all the time). So if any of you lovies don't mind my story being spoiled, just leave me a note at QSLoneStar@aol.com if you want to do me a favor and have me kiss the ground you walk on! ^_^
"Dr. Romano?" the secretary knocked on his door, and Robert glanced up.
"What is it?" he asked shortly, returning his attention to the paperwork he was reading.
"Dr. Ross called while you were at lunch - how was lunch by the way?" she asked politely, but Robert still didn't look up.
"Lunch was just fine," he replied, his voice surprisingly cold. "Do you intend on telling me what Dr. Ross wanted, or must I try to read your insignificant mind - or guess?" he said, finally looking up. His secretary bristled, accoustomed to his jabs but not to his sudden cruel tone.
"He wanted you to go see Jordan McCullen."
"Well that part I could've guessed; did he happen to say why? Oh wait, let me guess again," he said, putting his fingers to his temple and squinting his eyes mockingly. "She's not eating," he suggested sharply, and his secretary sighed shakily.
"Actually, he said that he thinks she might be depressed," she said in a defeated tone.
"With the life she's had I'm surprised she isn't clinically insane by now," Robert snapped as he stood up, and the secretary back away so he could walk out of the door. "If Dr. Ross happens to call again, inform him that I'm not a psychiatrist and that if he thinks his patients are depressed, then he should contact one - a psychiatrist that is, not a patient," he said shortly as he headed towards the elevator.
"Are you going to see her?" the secretary asked, and Robert shot a derisive glare at her.
"No, I think I'll just ride the elevator up and down for a few hours, the elevator music really entertains me," he deadpanned as he disappeared behind the elevator doors, leaving his secretary staring tiredly after him.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jordan sat staring at her reflection in the mirror, slowly bringing her fingers up to touch the thin skin on her face. She thought that she looked like she belonged in a concentration camp instead of a hospital. For the most part, she was bald; her hair was too thin to rightfully be called hair anymore. Her mouth was dotted with sores from the chemotherapy, and her skin pulled tight and ashen over her bones.
"Hey Tiny Tim, I heard you're feeling down," the familiar voice sounded from the doorway, and Jordan forced her eyes away from the reflection. Robert smiled briefly at her, but she could see automatically that something was wrong.
"Hiya Rocket Man, what's cookin'?" she responded, and Robert shook his head.
"It took you five months to hear about that? I'm ashamed at you," he said as he walked over. As usual he glanced over at her food tray, and he forced himself to smile when he saw that it was partially empty. "I'll assume you didn't feed it to the dog," he said and Jordan chuckled.
"I'm sorry, you weren't here for me to feed it to," she replied, and Robert raised his eyebrows.
"Ouch, I'm hurt," he said flatly, and Jordan was surprised that he didn't respond with his own little jab. Turning her wheelchair completely around she faced him, tilting her head.
"What's wrong?" she inquired, but Robert just walked a few steps away.
"Nothing," he replied shortly, rearranging some of the stuff in her room. Jordan noticed this and sighed, managing to wheel herself over to his side.
"Liar liar pants on fire," she said in a tired voice, and he looked away again.
"I can feel the maturity level in this room rising."
"Oh really, I thought it fell quite considerably when you entered," she shot back, and he frowned. Jordan paused, studying him, and then a small smile broke out onto her face. Biting her lip she forced herself to conceal it, and she tilted her head in question. "How was lunch with Dr. Corday?" she asked him, her voice slightly taunting.
"It was fine," he replied in the same short voice, turning away again. Jordan sighed and rolled her eyes, starting to turn the wheelchair again.
"Oh I give up," she muttered, slumping back into the seat in exhaustion. "Robert, come over here!" she said sharply, and he looked up in surprise. "I'm not chasing you around the whole goddamn room, stay in one place," she snapped irritably, and he stared at her.
"Are you alright?" he asked her, and she snorted.
"You answer first," she replied. Robert glared at her, but she glared right back.
"Nothing is wrong."
"Liar."
"Would you stop calling me that?"
"Only if you tell the truth."
"I said nothing's wrong."
"How was lunch today?"
"I already answered that," Robert said through clenched teeth, and Jordan rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on Robert, you and I both know that something happened. I've seen the way you look at 'Lizzie', as you call her - why you call her that is beyond me," Jordan started to say, but went back on subject with a dissmissing wave of her hand. "You like her, and there's nothing else to it," she said, and Robert clenched his fist slightly.
"I'd be sure I was telling the truth before I said things like that, Little Miss Cant-Be-Wrong," Robert said, trying to conceal his irritation with humor. Jordan just glared at him and shook her head.
"Well Mr. I-Think-Out-Of-My-Ass, I am quite sure that I am telling the truth," she snapped. "And I'm-"
"I asked her out on a date," Robert interrupted her suddenly, and Jordan blinked in surprise. "She turned me down of course, it was stupid of me to ask," he said in a cold voice, and Jordan sighed.
"I'm sure she -"
"Oh, I see the way she looks at Benton, I'm gonna catch her on that. 'I don't date collegues' my ass," Robert continued strongly, and Jordan's eyes flared up a bit.
"You can't blame a person for liking one person and not another," she said, and Robert glared at her.
"No, but you can blame them for lying," he snapped as he walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice suddenly quiet and nervous. Startled by the change in voice, Robert glanced over his shoulder at her.
"Well I was going to go finish the paperwork I had started, but now I've remembered my reason for coming down here in the first place," he said with a sigh. "And it wasn't to be harassed about lunch or to be verbally abused," he said with a glare towards Jordan.
"Harassment and verbal abuse; you can dish it out but you can't take it," Jordan replied, and Robert clenched his teeth slightly as he walked over next to her.
"Jordan, I've never been big on patience, and it's running dangerously low right now," he growled and Jordan sighed. She shrugged and turned away again, putting her hands on the wheels of her wheelchair.
"So go then, I wouldn't want to be a burden," she muttered, and Robert sighed.
"See this is why I prefer my patients unconcious, they can't give you migranes that way," he said, and Jordan squinted at him.
"I think I should be offended by that."
"You think, wow that's a shock."
"No wonder Dr. Corday wouldn't date you, you ass," Jordan said harshly, and Robert managed to refrain from making a biting comment.
"I'm not here to argue with you Jordan," he said in a strained voice, and she raised her eyebrows.
"Oh really? Could've fooled me," she replied, and Robert sighed.
"Dr. Ross informed me that he thought you were feeling down," he started, and Jordan snorted. "Now I'm not a psychiatrist or anything, but you don't seem to be quite yourself today."
"Oh really? Who am I then, the Dhali Lama?" Jordan replied, and then sighed when Robert's glare didn't change. "Oh come on, look at me," she said, gesturing to herself with her left hand. "I look like a circus freak."
"I would've opted for Holocaust survivor."
"You're making me feel a lot better," Jordan said sarcastically.
"Well at least I didn't agree on the circus freak comment," Robert pointed out, and Jordan shrugged. "Listen, you look like crap - so what?" he asked.
"Wow, you really do suck at this whole comforting thing, don't you?" Jordan said dryly.
"It doesn't matter how you look; be thankful you're alive, because you've come close to loosing your life a few times so far. Especially with the not eating stints you keep on pulling," he continued, ignoring her statement.
"But I'm going bald -"
"Join the club. Would you like a trophy?"
"Only if it's gold so I can pawn it for a hair piece later," she said, repressing the urge to chuckle slightly. With a sigh she tilted her head and rubbed her temple gently with one finger. "I guess this is when I ask my parents if they'll send me my old wigs?"
"I guess so," Robert said, and he saw the sadness in her eyes. "I'm sure you'll be fine," he said warmly as he squeezed her shoulder gently. She was surprised by the fatherly motion, but nonetheless comforted. "If you've proved nothing else to me in your months here, you've shown me that you're a fighter - and a brat, and annoying - "
"Well I learn from the best don't I?" she cut him off, and he could see the wry smile in her eyes.
"A few more months and I'll have you terrorizing the nurses," he said as he turned to leave. Her eyes watched him walk away, and she furrowed her brow slightly.
"Robert?"
"Yes?"
"Don't let it get to you," she said, and he tilted his head in question. "The whole thing with Dr. Corday.I mean, if it's meant to be then it's meant to be, but if it's not.don't let it ruin you. You don't know if she's with Benton," she said, and after a pause he nodded.
"Advice taken," he said. "Now I have some advice for you."
"I'm all ears."
"You knew the effects of chemo before you came in here.don't let them get you down. You won't have even a fighting chance if you're willing to let the cancer get the best of you," he said, and Jordan nodded.
"Spoken like a true doctor," she said, but she smiled at him. "I'll see you around?" she said, and he nodded.
"After I make a point of ripping Benton a new one," he said, and Jordan shot him a warning glare. "Alright alright, I'll play nice," he said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I'll just insult him a few times," he winked as he walked into the hallway.
"And that's different from what you do everyday how?" she said after him, not getting a response. With a sigh she glanced back in the mirror, touching what was left of her hair again. Slowly she wheeled herself over to the phone, her hand pausing as it touched the cool plastic. After a pause she lifted it up, cradling it with her right hand as she punched the buttons with her good arm. Cringing as she heard the phone ringing, she was relieved when she heard her brothers voice.
"Hello, Christopher? Is mom or dad home? I need them to drop off something for me."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------
**A Note From Sterlin**
That chapter may have seen unimportant, but it will really set the ground for a lot of the future chapters. I know I'm skipping months at a time here, but I doubt you lovies really want me to do a detailed fanfiction of the time between November 1997 and present day (actually, past present day, but I won't get into any spoilers ~_^). So I thought I'd take some time out before I move onto the next chapters (which will move along a little quicker and will have more drama, angst, and hey even a little violence (you'll be surprised about who it is, unless you already know). And I can promise many more chapters, although I can also promise a big break of a few months (at least) after next February's chapter so that none of us (yes, myself included) go insane waiting for the 'RomanoChop' to be written about.
Emdroberts - Glad you like it! There'll be plenty more coming.
Rocket Launcher - Oh, the Sultan of Snark has not finished tearing into Shortcake's parents, not in the slightest. Stay tuned for more Parent- Bashing in the next couple of chapters.
Lady Iapetus - Yes, but I have seen more and more popping up (may I recommend little_miss_writers Out of the Cold and Rocket Launcher's High Risk Behavoiur if you're in the mood for some Robert - Elizabeth stories). Oh and thanks for pointing the chapter thing out, ff.net has been driving me off my rocker recently but I fixed it.
Lasplx - The penguins are slowly stealing my sanity - but I managed to get the one who took your shoelace. Do you want it back? Or shall I give you a spellcheck instead? **ducks** don't hurt me. Thanks for letting me run my many ideas by you - I have yet another! Why are you sleeping! I had to speak to.**whispers** Dianna!!!!!
Badgermilk - Interesting name. I poke badgers with sporks =). Anywho, thanks for your comment ^_^ I'm glad that my fanfiction made you see Romano differently, I'm quite proud of myself now.
Gemma - Thanks, I try for originality. Of course, being a horse-back rider myself, the accident probably didn't have the best effect on me (I had a near heart-attack when a horse reared the other day with my friend on it's back) but it certainly got Jordan into the OR and into Romano's hair (well, whats left of it anyway). Thanks again =)
JohnnyDeppLover - I mourned for Dr. Greene too; and I promise you, he will have his appearance in this story! I couldn't bear the thought of writing a fanfiction without my beloved Dr. Greene being in it (actually he'll play a rather major part methinks, but I don't want to give out spoilers and I haven't gotten that part worked out completely yet). I'm glad you like it so far!
UsagiPrincess - Oh no, he is an arrogant weasel ~_^ But he does have a heart too **cough**. I'm glad that I can make you laugh and that you enjoy the story, you'll have plenty of updates to look forward too. I know this chapter was a little lacking in the straight-out humor department (in my opinion anyway; this chapter was surprisingly hard for me to write) but the next few should be highly entertaining. Thanks for your reply!
Anna - Ah yes, Romano and Carter: a match made in heaven. I promise that Carter will be involved much more in the next few chapters (almost wrote episodes there, oops); in fact he's going to have his own chapter sort of, I'm interested to see what you think of it.
Not-So-Dumb-Blond - Romano is rather hard to write for, but I'm glad you guys seem to like what I've done with him. You guys seem to flatter me into writing more chapters when I really should be doing my homework ~_^ As for you writing a fic, go ahead with it, take the risk! LoL He may be hard to characterize, but he's sure as hell fun to write.
Kathy Vullis- Why thank you! I'll try and bang out the next few years quickly (quickly as in, one or two weeks) and get on up to the RomanoChop, I have a lot planned for that little bit of ER writers cruelty!
Kristerina - Thanks ^_^ I was a bit worried about how the last chapter would be received (as I am with this one), but you guys have certainly quelled my fears.
And to everyone: Thanks soooo much for reviewing! I've put a lot of effort into the story, and it's very rewarding to read these great reviews day after day. I know I have those spelling and grammer mistakes, I'm a ditz (but the word.word should really be word. . .word, I don't know why that doesn't show up and I use it too much to catch every one); I'll try and catch them more often though. Thanks again for reviewing, and stay tuned for the next chapter!
Oh, and I'm looking for a proof reader for my chapters on occasion (and someone to run my ideas by, aside from Lisa; I feel bad harassing her all the time). So if any of you lovies don't mind my story being spoiled, just leave me a note at QSLoneStar@aol.com if you want to do me a favor and have me kiss the ground you walk on! ^_^