Author's note: Thanks for all the fantastic reviews I got for the last chapter, they really do keep me motivated. Anyway, as promised, this is the bridge scene from "Foreign Affairs". I sat down with my tape of the episode and transcribed the scenes I used, so hopefully the dialogue is pretty accurate. The part with the medical jargon is basically made up, though, because I know nothing about the treatment of a severed arm.

Also, this chapter is (again) a bit more focused on Elizabeth. I find it easier to write from her perspective, and at this point in the fic, I think it makes more sense to look at things from her point of view. I promise there will be more Romano in the next chapter, though. Please review when you're done reading, I'd appreciate the feedback. Enjoy!

***

Dorsett held the door for Elizabeth as they walked out of the hospital together. He followed her as she turned onto the street by the river. They walked in silence for a few moments, both enjoying the peacefulness of the night, but both unsure of what to say to the other. There was physical attraction between them, that couldn't be denied, but neither one of them quite knew how to start a conversation.

Finally, Dorsett decided to break the ice. "How did Kovac get you on board?"

"Well, he asked."

Dorsett groaned under his breath. This was going to be harder than he thought. "Huh. That was easy." There was yet another uncomfortable silence between them. Finally, Dorsett blurted out what was on his mind. "So, what do you want to do tonight? Because, look, normally, tonight, I would just be sitting at home watching Trading Places, but fortunately for you, it's Ladies' Night."

'Trading Places?' Elizabeth laughed to herself. She was becoming more and more unsure of where the night was going. "Yeah, you're right, my daughter's waiting," she said, giving Dorsett a playful glare. She wasn't quite sure how he would react.

Everything clicked in Dorsett's mind, and he regained his composition a split second later. "I see, well, have I mentioned how much I love kids?" The look in Elizabeth's eyes told him that she wasn't going to fall for these gimmicks. In a more serious tone, he asked her, "My car's just up the street, you want a ride?"

Grateful and taken aback all at once, Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Which way are you going?" she asked him, slowly and softly.

"I don't know, whichever way you point me towards," was his reply. Elizabeth knew that Dorsett was really interested in her, and wasn't just hitting on the closest attractive woman. She shyly looked away, and to her surprise, saw a small familiar figure leaning against the railing of the bridge.

It was Robert.

Suddenly overcome with concern for her friend, she turned back to Dorsett. "I'm…really sorry, uh, I just…can't tonight," she said. She felt extremely guilty to have led Dorsett along, but she knew she was doing the right thing. "Can I take a rain check?"

Dorsett looked slightly hurt, but Elizabeth knew he'd get over it. He nodded, and Elizabeth gently squeezed his arm. "I promise, we'll have coffee or something. Soon. It's just…well, tonight, I have other things on my mind."

"Okay," Dorsett said. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Yes, I'll see you tomorrow." As Dorsett turned to walk away, Elizabeth heaved a sigh of relief. Now, at least, she had a night to sleep on things. She turned around and made her way down to the bridge where Robert was standing.

***

Robert's mind had been wandering again when he heard a familiar voice cutting through the silence. "Nice evening for a stroll," Elizabeth said in her smooth British voice.

"Lizzie," Robert said, barely acknowledging her with his indifferent tone.

"How'd it go with plastics?"

Exasperated, Robert blurted out, "You know, what'd Gallant do, post it on the bulletin board?" Inside, though, he was touched at Elizabeth's compassion and concern.

Elizabeth smiled. "No, plastics consulted me. They knew I had examined your other infection."

"Well, he wants to admit me for wound care, daily debridements, and, uh, pulse monitoring, and about a week of skin graphs on the dorsen and the lower espet." Robert said. He felt comfortable about opening up to Elizabeth regarding his treatment, even if he hadn't wanted her to care for him earlier in the day. He didn't want her to see him like that- weak and ashamed. He knew she wouldn't judge him because of it, but he was still self-conscious about himself around Elizabeth.

"Well, that seems reasonable," Elizabeth said, hovering somewhere on the border between friend and physician.

"Does it?" Robert asked. He didn't know what he had been hoping for. Of course the plastic surgeon's consult was reasonable. He had wanted Elizabeth to come up with some miracle diagnosis or treatment plan that would make everything go away, but he knew she couldn't. "I was making tea," he felt compelled to explain. "I put the pot on, I, uh, got distracted, my sling got caught on the burner, and, uh, my arm was on fire, and I didn't realize it until I saw the flames. Ridiculous."

Elizabeth seamlessly slipped into doctor mode. "Unfortunately, things like that can happen during sensory recovery," she said.

"Yeah, but I'm not recovering. I'll never get the feeling back."

Elizabeth was a bit surprised at this comment. This wasn't the Robert Romano she knew. That Robert would never give in like this. He was fiercely stubborn and would fight a hopeless battle longer than anyone else she knew. But yet here he was, basically telling her that he was giving up.

"Robert, listen to me, just because you're discouraged, don't do anything that might cause a delay…"

Robert cut her off. "It's just going to keep going like this."

"…you can't afford to have another infection…"

"It's over."

"…compartment syndrome, vascular…"

"Elizabeth, you're not hearing me. It's over." Elizabeth fell silent, and Robert continued. "It's time for me to cut my losses."

Elizabeth was overwhelmed with an unexpected rush of emotion. Without realizing it, she had dropped her tough exterior, and Robert's words suddenly hit her right in the heart. The only person who could hold out longer than she could in an argument was giving up. Giving up his chance to fight against the seemingly inevitable. Giving up his hopes of returning to surgery. Although deep inside, she knew Robert's cause was hopeless, Elizabeth found herself unwilling to let it go this easily.

"Robert…" she said, softly, with compassion and a hint of sadness in her voice.

"No, we both know I'll be better off without it. You as much as said so."

"No, what I said was amputation was always a  possibility down the line, but I-I don't think that…"

"I'm very, very glad we had this chat," Robert said, silencing Elizabeth again. "Will you, uh, check the OR schedule and set it up? As soon as possible. I just want to be rid of the damn thing."

With that said, Robert gathered his coat tighter around him and walked away, leaving a stunned Elizabeth standing on the bridge. She wanted to call after him and try to talk him out of this, but she knew it would never work. He had made up his mind, and there would be no changing it.

Leaning against the railing, Elizabeth didn't try to stop the tears gathering in her eyes. One by one, they slid down her face and made tiny ripples in the river below.

***

A/N: Sorry, guys, I know this is depressing, but then again, the Cordano storyline on the show has been depressing. I'll try to write a happier chapter soon. Don't forget to review!