Sorry this took so long - four essays and a test in two weeks - it's just cruel, not my fault though. Anyway, here's the second to last chapter. So enjoy it while it lasts. It's an awful lot of mush. In fact it's ALL mush. But worse things have happened. And lots of Frank Sinatra, so if you're not a fan you're gonna be by the time I've finished with you. That's right, download a mp3 search engine and listen to them all - it's all about atmosphere. Yeah, I'm a bit young to actually know Sinatra but thanks to Robbie Williams I've been educated. (I know he's not big in the US but I'm not sure why…?) Anyway, slightly off topic. You probably skipped all this in anticipation of a conclusion to my cliffhanger. That was mean. But fun. And lots of reviews - always good.

Here we go…

"Look, Elizabeth, lets get this over with. Thanks for all your help these past couple of weeks. I'm sorry I assumed… yeah. You don't need to explain anything to me."

"Shut up Robert. What you saw was not me - I mean, Dorsett wasn't taking no for an answer and…"

"You obliged?"

"No, I was trying to get away." She pleaded.

Robert rolled his eyes. "Okay." He shrugged, obviously not believing her.

"What can I say? He's been at me for weeks and I guess he ran out of patience. It's a good thing I found the door cause he's surprisingly strong for someone so scrawny." She had given up trying not to show her anger.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his concern for her beating his pride.

"Yes, I'm fine, he didn't - well, almost, but he didn't - look, the point is - I stuck with you - through quite a bit - don't you have any faith in me?"

Robert swallowed as she continued.

"Cause I want to give this a chance - you and me - I think it could work, but not like this."

"I'm sorry," he searched her face for any sign of forgiveness. "Please," he put his hand on her shoulder, "You're too good for me. I've always known that - so I find it hard to believe that you'd give me a second glance."

"It was close Robert, I only just got away - if you'd just stayed."

He looked at her knowing there was nothing else he could say.

"Sometimes you have to fight for the things you really want…"

"I know." Robert stepped away from her, wanting to defend himself. "I've wanted you for years and it's been a fight you were entirely oblivious to. So don't lecture me about fighting for what you want. I've watched you go through several relationships, and each time I saw you pick them over me - it was too easy to believe you would again."

"I'm sorry." She reached out to him afraid he'd step away. He took a quick breath, surprised at her touch, but he didn't move away.

"I put on a brave face Lizzie and I try to not give a damn about you, but whatever happens, I'll be fighting for you forever." He said with what was left of his voice.

She took his face in her hands. "I love you Robert."

That brought his smile, though he'd been at the brink of despair only minutes earlier.

"Lets hope our future fights are more trivial." She smiled back.

"Okay." He replied. She was so close; he simply had no choice but to kiss her. "I love you Elizabeth." He kissed her again. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.

He pulled away after a moment, "You're worth the fight."

"I don't know about that," she kissed him cheekily then just looked at him. "But thank you."

"Would it be too embarrassing to go out for dinner with the one-armed-monster?"

She shook her head, with a coy smile.

"Okay, cause I know a place you might like. Maybe… I won't profess to be either a mind reader or a particular pro with women, but I'll try."

"I'm sure it'll be fine." Elizabeth laughed at him. "I'll call Chris and see if she can look after Ella for the night - I mean, just later than I planned." She blushed.

Robert outright laughed at her confusion. He didn't mind at all if Chris needed to look after Ella for the whole night. But he also laughed to hide his own nerves. It wasn't like Elizabeth was another transparent barmaid who ignored him until she found out he was a wealthy doctor. He had no problem taking them to his bed, and they were usually just as willing. Elizabeth had never ignored him, though she may have tried, she'd merely hated him… but now…? He actually cared what impression he made on her. He wasn't so concerned about how good it was for him - he wanted her to want him, to need him, to reach out for him in the middle of the night like she was beginning to do during the day… he didn't want to be with her on a performance basis but that was easier said than done - just relax, stop thinking about it. That was easier said than done as well.

Elizabeth had finished talking to Chris who had willingly obliged her.

"No problemo." Elizabeth returned to him grinning.

"What?" he asked why she was looking so happy.

"Nothing." The grin stayed right where it was. "So, where are we going?"

"You'll see."

"That's cruel." She said, still grinning. "Sorry." She put her hand over her grin, but she couldn't stop it.

"Okay smiley, do you feel like walking or sitting - dinner's a while away."

"Walking - I'll put all the smiling energy into something else."

"Oh, I don't mind. I'd gladly wake up every morning to that smile." He said, opening the door, then realised the implication, "sorry."

"It's okay, I don't know why we're so nervous." She walked through the open door and waited for him outside. He didn't reply to her. "I mean, I'm nervous."

"Same." He admitted. "We have a little more baggage between us than most."

"That's probably it. But it is very fairy-tale-ish for love to come before sex." She added, taking his hand. She felt like she was eighteen. This was ridiculous - like a bad TV soap that would compel her to change the channel. Ah well, worse things had happened.

"Well, I'll try and be prince charming but I don't think there's much chance I'll succeed."

"Only when I'm the demure little princess in a pink marshmallow dress and tiara."

"Elizabeth, you will never be demure. The pink marshmallow dress… we'll see. Plus I didn't fall in love with miss-demure. I like that you fight back."

"We would never have spoken if I didn't fight back."

"Exactly."

She laughed. "Until recently."

"Well, recently has been the result of many years of…"

"Verbal warfare, abuse, innuendo, sarcasm, derision…"

"I get the idea." He rolled his eyes.

"Hey, it wasn't just you."

"But it certainly explains why you never picked up that I was crazy about you."

She turned to look at him, gauging his response, "I knew."

"Oh." He turned to her, aware of her eyes on him. He forced out a smile wanting her to think that didn't bother him. She knew it and slipped her arm around his waste as they kept walking. They walked in semi-uncomfortable silence until they got to the park.

"So what are Chris and Ella doing this afternoon?"

Elizabeth shrugged, "No idea."

"Oh, I thought - never mind."

Elizabeth laughed at his confusion, "It's okay. She's been looking after Ella for over a year - they'll be fine. But I don't expect you to know this stuff - it's very menial."

"I never really wanted to be a parent." He relaxed again, "I mean, not because I wouldn't want kids, I mean kids are great, I just don't think I'd do a very good job. I mean it's huge - and what if you mess them up? You're very brave."

"Ella wasn't really planned. Parenting is definitely swimming in the deep end and I guess nobody's perfect."

"That's not what I mean. I guess I'd be terrified they'd resent me. It's hardly something you can go into half-heartedly and it's lives you're dealing with. Don't say it's just like surgery - cause it's day-to-day stuff. Great potential to really mess them up - heck they could turn out like me."

"Your parents didn't to SO badly."

"Yeah they did."

"Robert, don't be ridiculous, you're not that bad underneath all the sarcasm."

"Thank you, but that's not what I meant."

"Oh." Elizabeth waited for him to explain.

"Well," he began, unsure of his words, "Dad was a jerk. Stuck around long enough to make sure Jo and I were well aware of it and then took off. Mum was absent a lot - at least in mind if not in body. So I kind of brought up Jo and me. I guess I didn't do too bad, but…."

"It shouldn't have been your job."

"Exactly - what was so hard that mum and dad couldn't do it?"

"Did your mum ever remarry?"

"A couple of times, but never for long. There was always someone - some guy around. She was real pretty - the guys were usually rich. Jerks - hey maybe that's where I get it from."

Elizabeth stopped walking and grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her. "You're not a jerk."

He cocked his head to the side as if to say, you're the only one who thinks so.

"I mean it. You're an amazing man. I feel like I'm only just getting to know you but I already love you. So does Ella, and she's not that easy to please. If you only let people in - let them see you…"

"Elizabeth, I know I got shit for a family but it's not entirely their fault. I choose to say the things I say, I chose to be a jerk."

Elizabeth knew she couldn't argue with that. "How bad did Jo turn out after all?"

"She's fine - married with a daughter who's heavily into punk but other than that she's okay. The husband has his moments."

"See, you didn't do so bad."

Robert sighed, to tired to argue anymore.

"Maybe your parents were just the ultimate 'what not to do' guide."

He half-laughed.

"You might even be a better parent for it."

"I didn't mean - I mean, I wasn't suggesting we…" he fumbled

"I know. But that's okay, I mean one day, who knows? We might…"

"There's brave and there's stupid - fine line."

"I've never thought you to be stupid and recently I've found you very brave. As long as you can satisfy your Sergent-major-complex at work we'll be fine."

"Well, in that case, we've got work to do… sorry. Too much tension. One day I'll learn to keep my mouth shut."

Elizabeth was busy laughing at him. "I must admit, I can think of better reasons to keep your mouth open than to put your foot in it." She kissed him.

"I'd have to agree." He mumbled before kissing her back.

Eventually they continued their walk, hand-in-hand around the park then back to Robert's house just as the sun was dipping over the horizon.

"I should go home and change before dinner." Elizabeth said as he flicked on his new electric kettle.

"No, you're perfect just as you are." He insisted, getting out tea bags and milk.

"I'm touched, but are you sure, I mean…"

"You look great. Surely you can trust your fan club."

"Huh?" she stepped beside him as he turned to face her.

"Me - your fan club. You look stunning." He kissed her softly, invitingly.

They were interrupted by boiling water. Robert went to pull away,

"You really want tea?" Elizabeth mumbled, not letting him move.

"No," he kissed her again. When they finally separated the water was lukewarm and it was time to go to dinner.

Robert led Elizabeth by the hand up a dark alleyway. She shivered.

"Just relax." He pulled her to his side. "We're almost there."

She let out a nervous laugh and squeezed his hand. She could hear a soft beat, some distant old music and laughter. Then they turned a corner and she could see the glowing outline of a doorway. Robert boldly opened the door and led her down a dimly lit staircase then through another door into a slightly brighter room.

"How lucky can one guy be? I kissed her and she kissed me," a man dressed like blue eyes sang into an old-fashioned microphone on a well-lit stage at the other end of the room. "Like the fella once said, Ain't that a kick in the head? The room was completely black, I hugged her and she hugged back."

Robert nodded to the guy behind the bar and led Elizabeth to a table against the opposite wall. They sat down and he picked up the wine list while Elizabeth looked around. It was one of those places that would have been considered dodgy in the 50s but was classy today. The lights, or lack thereof made everything red. A well-dressed but slightly crumpled waiter came to their table and put a menu in front of each of them. Robert ordered some wine and then his meal without looking at the menu.

"What's the best?" Elizabeth asked.

"Depends what you like. The ravioli is good. Or the spaghetti."

"Spaghetti sounds good." Elizabeth handed her menu to the waiter who walked away wordlessly.

"This is really nice." She smiled across the table.

"I hoped you'd like it."

"Yeah, I love it. The music is perfect. It's almost like the real thing."

"Mum had heaps of Sinatra on vinyl so I grew up on it. Guess it's in my blood."

"Wasn't all bad then?" Elizabeth smiled meekly.

The song ended and he started singing 'the way you look tonight'.

"No, we had our moments. Do you want to dance?"

Elizabeth nodded. She stood up, taking his hand.

"You've gone all quiet Lizzie." He teased as they started dancing. Elizabeth just smiled.

"There is nothing for me but to love you and the way you look tonight."

Robert started singing along, softly so that only Elizabeth could hear him. "With each word your tenderness grows, tearing my fear apart... And that laugh that wrinkles your nose, it touches my foolish heart."

Elizabeth joined in, whispering, and Robert stopped to listen to her. "Lovely ... Never, ever change. Keep that breathless charm. Won't you please arrange it? 'Cause I love you ... Just the way you look tonight" the song finished and he pulled back, smiling at her. 'Night and Day' started as they walked back to their table where their food had arrived.

"This is perfect." Elizabeth said as she sat down.

"I try." He teased, picking up his fork and piling it with ravioli.

Elizabeth twirled spaghetti on her fork. "You know that evening, at the hospital when you came with Ella before your physio appointment?"

He nodded, his mouth full.

"You said it was nothing but I could tell you were thinking about something. What was it?"

Robert thought for a minute as Elizabeth ate.

"Oh. You were distracted that night as well." He said when he remembered his reaction to being mistaken for Ella's father.

"I'll tell if you will." Elizabeth said, sucking a stray piece of spaghetti into her mouth, splattering delicious sauce onto her lips. Robert wanted to lick it off but she beat him to it. How would he explain his distraction…?

"Well, I was thinking about how I'd been mistaken for Ella's father. And I wasn't sure if I should tell you."

"Oh."

"Should I have told you?"

She shrugged, "I wouldn't have been upset. And Ella and I are kind of a package deal. So you have to be comfortable with that…"

"Oh, I was, in fact I was thrilled. I just thought it might bring up all sorts of… mess." He tried to explain.

"You can say his name. You thought it would bring up all sorts of Mark stuff?"

Robert nodded.

"I've moved on. That's the first time I've said it out loud. But I have. I wish there was someway Ella could know him, but I have no regrets for myself."

Robert smiled. "That's good to know. I didn't want to be competing with a ghost."

"You're not."

"So what were you thinking about that night?" he asked boldly.

"You know that little girl that died on my table the day beforehand?" Robert looked at her compassionately, "I got a card from her parents. It was really sweet, but a bit confusing - like they were trying to comfort me. I'll show it to you some time."

"Are you okay now?"

She shrugged and nodded - not very convincingly though. "Guess I haven't really thought about it. But maybe I need to. I manage to go about busily without asking or answering a lot of the questions I need to."

"Questions are terrifying, especially when there aren't answers."

"But maybe there are - not proven answers, but answers. Maybe it's possible to know something is true and not needing proof."

"Like faith?" Robert asked, unsure of his own footing on this subject.

"Yeah, I guess. Catholic school turned me off religion but maybe that's just the pomp and ceremony - the trappings. Maybe the important stuff is there, under all the trappings."

"But can you get at it without getting dragged down by all the trappings?"

"I don't know. Maybe I want to find out though."

"Tell me if you do." He searched her eyes.

She smiled, "Good ravioli?"

"Always."

"You come here often I guess."

He nodded.

"Well, maybe I'll join you from now on."

He grinned, "good."

The singer was singing 'Come Fly With Me'. Robert filled up their wine glasses and took a sip of his. He closed his eyes as if he could taste it better, hear the music better, and appreciate the atmosphere better with his eyes closed.

"Once I get you up there where the air is rarefied. We'll just glide, starry-eyed. Once I get you up there I'll be holding you so near. You may hear angels cheer 'cause we're together."

Their plates were soon empty and they were dancing again.

"It's been so long since I went out." Elizabeth admitted and pulled away so she could look at him, "this is perfect."

Robert grinned. He knew he must look silly, but he didn't really care. He pulled her closer and kissed her. She pulled him in so the kiss lasted longer. When their lips parted she sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.

Robert couldn't believe he was there… she was there. It really was just about perfect. "I love you." He whispered. She kissed his shoulder, rubbing his back with her hands as he led her in the dance. The beat changed as the band started playing a new song, "The way you wear your hat, the way you sip your tea, the memory of all that, no, no, they can't take that away from me. The way your smile just beams, the way you sing off key, the way you haunt my dreams, no, no, they can't take that away from me."

Their bodies moved together with the music as if they'd been designed exactly for that song, for that night, for that restaurant. Everything seemed to fit. "The way you hold your knife, the way we dance till three, the way you changed my life, no, no they can't take that away from me. We may never, never meet again, on this bumpy road to love still I'll always, always keep the memory of… the way you hold your knife, the way we dance till three…"

Elizabeth yawned. It had been a long day, full of extreme emotions - both highs and lows unequalled in recent weeks.

"We should go." Robert said and kept dancing.

"We should." She agreed but didn't make a move either.

"Mmm," he agreed, "We could dance at home."

"Okay." She reluctantly lifted her head from his shoulder.

Robert unlocked his front door and held it open for Elizabeth to walk in. He took off his jacket and hung it up then followed her into the lounge. She was nervously looking at his bookcase.

"Look at this." He opened a drawer full of old records.

"Oh, wow." (remember, everyone over 30 has a nostalgic soft spot for vinyl - real music…)

"What'll it be?"

She looked through the top few and pulled out the first of Sinatra she found.

"Keeping with the theme?" he slipped the record out of the case and put it on. "Do you want a drink?" he put the needle on the edge of the record and it started playing, "I've got you under my skin. I've got you deep in the heart of me. So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me."

"Yeah, a drink would be nice." She watched him pour two glasses of wine.

"I'd sacrifice anything come what might for the sake of having you near in spite of a warning voice that comes in the night and repeats repeats in my ear."

He handed her a glass, took a sip of his and put it down beside the record player. Wordlessly he held out his hand.

"But each time that I do just the thought of you makes me stop before I begin. I've got you under my skin…" the music continued but time stood still as they stood there, dancing together, barely moving.

A couple of songs later the moved apart.

"I should go." Elizabeth whispered reluctantly.

He nodded and picked up his glass. She picked hers up and held it to his in a toast.

"What are we toasting to?" he asked, disappointed that she was going.

"I don't know… Good music, good wine, good company."

"All of the above."

"You." She smiled.

"I'd kiss you, but I don't want you to leave as it is and I'm not a big fan of self-torture."

"Who'd have guessed." She teased. "I'll call you tomorrow." She said, backing out of the room. He followed her to the front door and held it open while she procrastinated on the doorstep.

"I'm working at two tomorrow, so…" she was stalling, she didn't want to leave but was she ready to stay.

"Stay."