Disclaimer - Yet again, I do not own any characters on ER and am not profiting at all from this story, unless of course some ER writers happen to see this little story of mine and think "Hey, that's a great idea! I think we'll use that." (Tee-hee)
PG - for some minor sexual innuendos. Please forgive my lack of medical knowledge. I've just been trying to learn a bit off the Internet and from watching ER. If you know something I've messed up medically, let me know. Thanks for the reviews. They're very encouraging. I think you'll like my future plans for Dorsett. Also, the restaurant is made up.
Chapter 4 - The Date
As Dr. Corday made her first incision on Mr. Beauregard, she couldn't help but notice Dr. Dorsett frequently glancing at her over the operation table. She of course did not look up at him, pretending to be completely focused on Mr. Beauregard's spleen. He definitely seemed to have a fondness for Elizabeth and she knew it, but for the life of her she had no idea why. Granted, he was rather "easy on the eyes," but young and a bit cocky; always strutting around like he owned the place; a big know-it-all putting on some front like he has something to hide.
His glances turned into stares. She couldn't avoid him much longer.
"So, Dr. Dorsett, I heard you got to scrub in on a Whipple this morning," stated Elizabeth trying to break the tension...well, her tension, anyway.
"Yes, I did. Quite fascinating, really. I got to assist. She was only 32, blonde, attractive."
Elizabeth glanced at him with a cold, blank stare. "Did she pull through?"
"Why? Jealous?"
She gave him another cold look without answering.
He continued, "Yes, she pulled through just fine."
"That's a five hour procedure. You still had enough energy to come here this afternoon?" She was trying to keep the conversation trivial.
"Oh, I think you would find I have lots and lots of energy Dr. Corday." When her expressions still did not change, he decided not to push his luck. "So this Dr. Romano, he lost his arm recently I was told."
"Yes, he did." She stayed focused on Mr. Beauregard's spleen.
"He doesn't seem like a very happy guy."
"Would you be very happy if your arm was severed by a helicopter?"
"I guess not." He leaned over Mr. Beauregard to seemingly get a closer look at what Dr. Corday was doing, but in the process became quite close to her.
She looked up at him. "Are you always so intrigued by splendectomies, Doctor?"
He looked back up at her straight into her eyes, "Only with such a captivating subject."
She held his gaze for a moment, trying to read his mind and his motives. Shirley glanced at them with a smirk and then glanced at the other nurse in the room.
"Why don't you just keep suctioning?" she finally replied.
"I love it when you talk dirty."
"Shirley, clamps."
His eyes never dropped. "Have dinner with me tonight."
Everyone had been telling her to get out and have some fun. Here was her opportunity. After a brief moment, she dropped her guard slightly. "I can't. I'd have to find a babysitter. That's too short notice."
"I'm free." Shirley piped up.
Elizabeth looked over at Shirley with a mixed expression of anger that Shirley would suggest she baby-sit and surprise that Shirley was even listening.
"Basin." Elizabeth practically threw the spleen in the metal bowl Shirley held.
Finally, Elizabeth gave in, mostly because she felt she had no choice and no excuse to get out of it. Also, maybe people would now get off her back about going out.
"Great. I'll pick you up at 7:30."
Elizabeth put on a flirty, little smirk, "You don't know where I live."
He leaned in closer to her; mere inches from her face, replying with her same smirk and inflection of voice, "Well I guess you'll have to tell me."
She began to eye him suspiciously again as they remained close. After a fairly long moment, Shirley cleared her throat and Elizabeth backed up remembering that poor Mr. Beauregard would wake up eventually. "Right. Would you like to close, Dr. Dorsett, seeing as how I have a busy evening to get ready for?"
Still smirking, "Absolutely, Dr. Corday."
"Come and find me when you're done," as she walked out the door.
--------
Elizabeth wasn't that nervous until she walked into "Le Vivre," the very prestigious French restaurant Dr. Dorsett had chose for their little excursion. She thought she had been in some pretty pricey places before, but never had she set foot in any place like this. There were fountains everywhere: big ones, small ones, some lit with different colored lights, one even had an elaborate waterfall.
"Smoking or Non?" the host asked politely.
"Smoking," answered Dorsett automatically. Elizabeth shot him a shocked stare.
He saw her look and then changed his mind to the host. "Oh, Non. Sorry."
"Oh, no, it's alright." Elizabeth rebutted quickly.
"Are you sure?" Dorsett asked.
"Yes, yes."
"Smoking," Dorsett said again to the host shyly.
The host nodded, then guided them to their table and held the chair out for Elizabeth. She smiled politely back at him. He offered them their menus, which they accepted, then continued to plug the wine and specials for the evening. Obviously a speech he had rehearsed many times before them. He talked Dr. Dorsett into the wine and then left.
Elizabeth decided to try and enjoy her meal even though she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep it down. But she tried to settle her nerves. She hadn't been on a date since Mark and it wasn't easy. She couldn't stop thinking about him.
"I didn't know you smoked." Elizabeth stated plainly.
"I know," he replied guiltily. "I've tried to quit, but..." He didn't finish his explanation.
"So, what's good here?" Elizabeth asked pleasantly while opening the menu. But before she could even read the top appetizer, he snatched it away.
"Oh, you won't need that. I come here a lot. I'll order for you."
This surprised her. She supposed he thought he was being chivalrous, but it kind of turned her off. Also, why did he come here a lot?
Hesitantly she replied, "Okay."
Then there was silence. Oh there were forks clinking, waiters passing and the general murmur of countless conversations at once...but in their little corner of the world...silence. Finally the waiter brought their wine, to her relief, and took their orders, from Dr. Dorsett only, of course. To this day she couldn't tell you what she ate. It was in French; some sort of fish with vegetables. He began some small talk while they waited for their food.
"So how old's your daughter?"
"She just turned two. Likes to get into things I'm afraid."
"Yeah, tough age...terrible twos," he chuckled politely. Elizabeth smiled, but realized at that moment he knew nothing about children.
"Yes. She won't stop talking either. Just jabbers away non-stop. In fact, there was this one Saturday we went to the park and there was a little boy about her age playing in the sandbox with a pail and shovel. So she goes up and says to him, 'Look,' and points behind him. Then the boy says, 'What?' and looks back. Then she says, 'Is that your mommy?' and he goes, 'Where?' Then she says, 'Behind that tree.' The boy then runs all the way over to the tree to look for his mommy. By the time he comes back, Ella, my daughter, has already filled up his pail with sand, dumped it all over her head and tells the boy, 'Look, a hat.'"
Elizabeth laughed as she remembered her story and how cute Ella looked.
Dorsett just smiled at her.
She stopped laughing awkwardly, "I guess you had to be there." She gulped down the last of her wine.
At last, their food arrived and they ate. Elizabeth was nervous, so she continued to chatter away with hospital stories and stories from England, but mostly stories about Ella. Because besides Mark, which she did not wish to talk about, Ella was the biggest thing on her mind. She tried many times to turn the talk toward him, but he never would reveal much. However, he did seem to be a good listener, even though it was painfully obvious she was boring him to tears.
The mood didn't change until dessert...which was some sort of custard thing with strawberries. The strawberries had pepper on them - an odd combination to her mind.
"So, can I ask what happened to Ella's father?" he asked cautiously.
She didn't answer.
"I understand if it's none of my business."
"No, no, it's alright." She paused. "Her father died about a year ago."
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
"It's alright...really."
There was a long pause as he stared at her compassionately. He then broke the silence. "He must have been a very good man."
Elizabeth nodded.
He took another bite. She had stopped eating.
"You've been through a lot. You're very strong. I never would have guessed."
"Thank you," she replied.
"You wanna go?" he asked.
"Yes, please." She was very tired now.
"Okay." He got the check, paid and they were off.
-------------
As they walked up to her door, he stopped her from going in quite so fast.
"Wait," he paused, "did you have a nice time?"
She nodded politely, avoiding his eyes as she did. She didn't really have all that great a time. She had had better dates in the past. He did seem nice, though. He was probably just nervous like she was.
"Good. I had a nice time, too."
She was still looking down.
"Elizabeth?" He touched her chin to lift up her face towards his. "I really would like to see you again. Please?"
She didn't answer, but kept looking at him. He was very attractive. He leaned in toward her and kissed her lightly. She returned his kiss, but not fervently. He noticed this and after a couple of kisses pulled away.
"Good-night, Elizabeth," he said politely. "I sincerely hope we can do this again." He slowly walked away, keeping his gaze on her as long as he could. Elizabeth stepped into her house, quite more confused about this man now than ever before.
PG - for some minor sexual innuendos. Please forgive my lack of medical knowledge. I've just been trying to learn a bit off the Internet and from watching ER. If you know something I've messed up medically, let me know. Thanks for the reviews. They're very encouraging. I think you'll like my future plans for Dorsett. Also, the restaurant is made up.
Chapter 4 - The Date
As Dr. Corday made her first incision on Mr. Beauregard, she couldn't help but notice Dr. Dorsett frequently glancing at her over the operation table. She of course did not look up at him, pretending to be completely focused on Mr. Beauregard's spleen. He definitely seemed to have a fondness for Elizabeth and she knew it, but for the life of her she had no idea why. Granted, he was rather "easy on the eyes," but young and a bit cocky; always strutting around like he owned the place; a big know-it-all putting on some front like he has something to hide.
His glances turned into stares. She couldn't avoid him much longer.
"So, Dr. Dorsett, I heard you got to scrub in on a Whipple this morning," stated Elizabeth trying to break the tension...well, her tension, anyway.
"Yes, I did. Quite fascinating, really. I got to assist. She was only 32, blonde, attractive."
Elizabeth glanced at him with a cold, blank stare. "Did she pull through?"
"Why? Jealous?"
She gave him another cold look without answering.
He continued, "Yes, she pulled through just fine."
"That's a five hour procedure. You still had enough energy to come here this afternoon?" She was trying to keep the conversation trivial.
"Oh, I think you would find I have lots and lots of energy Dr. Corday." When her expressions still did not change, he decided not to push his luck. "So this Dr. Romano, he lost his arm recently I was told."
"Yes, he did." She stayed focused on Mr. Beauregard's spleen.
"He doesn't seem like a very happy guy."
"Would you be very happy if your arm was severed by a helicopter?"
"I guess not." He leaned over Mr. Beauregard to seemingly get a closer look at what Dr. Corday was doing, but in the process became quite close to her.
She looked up at him. "Are you always so intrigued by splendectomies, Doctor?"
He looked back up at her straight into her eyes, "Only with such a captivating subject."
She held his gaze for a moment, trying to read his mind and his motives. Shirley glanced at them with a smirk and then glanced at the other nurse in the room.
"Why don't you just keep suctioning?" she finally replied.
"I love it when you talk dirty."
"Shirley, clamps."
His eyes never dropped. "Have dinner with me tonight."
Everyone had been telling her to get out and have some fun. Here was her opportunity. After a brief moment, she dropped her guard slightly. "I can't. I'd have to find a babysitter. That's too short notice."
"I'm free." Shirley piped up.
Elizabeth looked over at Shirley with a mixed expression of anger that Shirley would suggest she baby-sit and surprise that Shirley was even listening.
"Basin." Elizabeth practically threw the spleen in the metal bowl Shirley held.
Finally, Elizabeth gave in, mostly because she felt she had no choice and no excuse to get out of it. Also, maybe people would now get off her back about going out.
"Great. I'll pick you up at 7:30."
Elizabeth put on a flirty, little smirk, "You don't know where I live."
He leaned in closer to her; mere inches from her face, replying with her same smirk and inflection of voice, "Well I guess you'll have to tell me."
She began to eye him suspiciously again as they remained close. After a fairly long moment, Shirley cleared her throat and Elizabeth backed up remembering that poor Mr. Beauregard would wake up eventually. "Right. Would you like to close, Dr. Dorsett, seeing as how I have a busy evening to get ready for?"
Still smirking, "Absolutely, Dr. Corday."
"Come and find me when you're done," as she walked out the door.
--------
Elizabeth wasn't that nervous until she walked into "Le Vivre," the very prestigious French restaurant Dr. Dorsett had chose for their little excursion. She thought she had been in some pretty pricey places before, but never had she set foot in any place like this. There were fountains everywhere: big ones, small ones, some lit with different colored lights, one even had an elaborate waterfall.
"Smoking or Non?" the host asked politely.
"Smoking," answered Dorsett automatically. Elizabeth shot him a shocked stare.
He saw her look and then changed his mind to the host. "Oh, Non. Sorry."
"Oh, no, it's alright." Elizabeth rebutted quickly.
"Are you sure?" Dorsett asked.
"Yes, yes."
"Smoking," Dorsett said again to the host shyly.
The host nodded, then guided them to their table and held the chair out for Elizabeth. She smiled politely back at him. He offered them their menus, which they accepted, then continued to plug the wine and specials for the evening. Obviously a speech he had rehearsed many times before them. He talked Dr. Dorsett into the wine and then left.
Elizabeth decided to try and enjoy her meal even though she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep it down. But she tried to settle her nerves. She hadn't been on a date since Mark and it wasn't easy. She couldn't stop thinking about him.
"I didn't know you smoked." Elizabeth stated plainly.
"I know," he replied guiltily. "I've tried to quit, but..." He didn't finish his explanation.
"So, what's good here?" Elizabeth asked pleasantly while opening the menu. But before she could even read the top appetizer, he snatched it away.
"Oh, you won't need that. I come here a lot. I'll order for you."
This surprised her. She supposed he thought he was being chivalrous, but it kind of turned her off. Also, why did he come here a lot?
Hesitantly she replied, "Okay."
Then there was silence. Oh there were forks clinking, waiters passing and the general murmur of countless conversations at once...but in their little corner of the world...silence. Finally the waiter brought their wine, to her relief, and took their orders, from Dr. Dorsett only, of course. To this day she couldn't tell you what she ate. It was in French; some sort of fish with vegetables. He began some small talk while they waited for their food.
"So how old's your daughter?"
"She just turned two. Likes to get into things I'm afraid."
"Yeah, tough age...terrible twos," he chuckled politely. Elizabeth smiled, but realized at that moment he knew nothing about children.
"Yes. She won't stop talking either. Just jabbers away non-stop. In fact, there was this one Saturday we went to the park and there was a little boy about her age playing in the sandbox with a pail and shovel. So she goes up and says to him, 'Look,' and points behind him. Then the boy says, 'What?' and looks back. Then she says, 'Is that your mommy?' and he goes, 'Where?' Then she says, 'Behind that tree.' The boy then runs all the way over to the tree to look for his mommy. By the time he comes back, Ella, my daughter, has already filled up his pail with sand, dumped it all over her head and tells the boy, 'Look, a hat.'"
Elizabeth laughed as she remembered her story and how cute Ella looked.
Dorsett just smiled at her.
She stopped laughing awkwardly, "I guess you had to be there." She gulped down the last of her wine.
At last, their food arrived and they ate. Elizabeth was nervous, so she continued to chatter away with hospital stories and stories from England, but mostly stories about Ella. Because besides Mark, which she did not wish to talk about, Ella was the biggest thing on her mind. She tried many times to turn the talk toward him, but he never would reveal much. However, he did seem to be a good listener, even though it was painfully obvious she was boring him to tears.
The mood didn't change until dessert...which was some sort of custard thing with strawberries. The strawberries had pepper on them - an odd combination to her mind.
"So, can I ask what happened to Ella's father?" he asked cautiously.
She didn't answer.
"I understand if it's none of my business."
"No, no, it's alright." She paused. "Her father died about a year ago."
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
"It's alright...really."
There was a long pause as he stared at her compassionately. He then broke the silence. "He must have been a very good man."
Elizabeth nodded.
He took another bite. She had stopped eating.
"You've been through a lot. You're very strong. I never would have guessed."
"Thank you," she replied.
"You wanna go?" he asked.
"Yes, please." She was very tired now.
"Okay." He got the check, paid and they were off.
-------------
As they walked up to her door, he stopped her from going in quite so fast.
"Wait," he paused, "did you have a nice time?"
She nodded politely, avoiding his eyes as she did. She didn't really have all that great a time. She had had better dates in the past. He did seem nice, though. He was probably just nervous like she was.
"Good. I had a nice time, too."
She was still looking down.
"Elizabeth?" He touched her chin to lift up her face towards his. "I really would like to see you again. Please?"
She didn't answer, but kept looking at him. He was very attractive. He leaned in toward her and kissed her lightly. She returned his kiss, but not fervently. He noticed this and after a couple of kisses pulled away.
"Good-night, Elizabeth," he said politely. "I sincerely hope we can do this again." He slowly walked away, keeping his gaze on her as long as he could. Elizabeth stepped into her house, quite more confused about this man now than ever before.
