Author's Note: Well, as promised, this is a parallel chapter to the last one. Instead of Elizabeth's thoughts, these are Robert's. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews- keep them coming! Enjoy!
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It's midnight. Why can't I sleep? Nothing too dramatic happened today. Well, I guess nothing seems very dramatic after you get your arm sliced off by a helicopter.
Somehow, my thoughts always seem to come back to that damn helicopter. I can't help but think what my life would be like right now if I hadn't gone out onto the roof that night. Why hadn't I just called in sick? Let Luka take the chopper for his patient? Not bothered to pick up the chart?
Never mind. I know the answer. It's because I'm Robert Romano. I never pass up the chance for a good healthy argument. Or, as most people would say, I never pass up the chance to piss someone off.
But I've been living with this stump of an arm for almost a year now. That's not what's keeping me up tonight. It's that conversation I had with Elizabeth.
Apparently, there are rumors circulating the hospital about a possible romantic connection between us. That doesn't bother me so much. It's not the first time it's happened, but it's the first time in a while. What bothers me is that she got so worked up over it. I mean, am I really that repulsive?
I know I'm not the most handsome of men. And having a useless piece of flesh hanging off my shoulder doesn't exactly add to my attractiveness. Plus, most people see me as a bossy, self-absorbed, arrogant surgeon. But that's not me anymore. In the first place, I can't really call myself a surgeon now. I've been holding on to hope for a long time, but I'm not a surgeon anymore. My arm's not going to get better, and I have to accept that.
And also, I know Elizabeth. And I know that she sees past my arrogant exterior. That's why we get along- she knows who I am. It's why I trust her- and only her, really. It's why I brought her over here to America in the first place.
Well, that and the fact that I was madly in love with her.
I've known Elizabeth for more than six years. You'd think by now I would have realized that she's never going to look at me the way I look at her. And when she was married, I almost got over my feelings. But now…
I can't deny that I'm still in love with her. Now, the only question is does she feel the same way? Because lately she seems to care more about me. The look in her eyes when she talks to me is different. It's not a look of pity, but of understanding and friendship. And maybe, hopefully, something more.
Could it be? Or am I just imagining things?
No wonder I can't sleep.