Title: Giving Thanks: Like Old Times
Author: Jen Zoromski
All other information in first chapter.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for all of the feedback. Anyone else happy to have seen Corday actually caring about Romano in "Missing"? I thought we'd get gypped, but no one else wanting to go to the memorial? Come on TPTB he wasn't that bad. Lol…well since they didn't find him alive in "Missing" I guess this will continue as an alternate universe with Romano. I will try and incorporate events that are happening in "ER" throughout the rest of the year, but we are still back at Thanksgiving in this one. All righty. Well enjoy!
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Northwestern Hospital
November 27, 2003
2:30 p.m.
"Dr. Corday!"
Elizabeth is greeted immediately by Dr. Carson as she reaches the hallway in the ICU. Panic comes over her face.
"What's wrong?"
Before Dr. Carson can say anything a young nurse of twenty or so comes out of Romano's room nearly in tears.
"The next time I ask for orange juice I want orange juice not apple!" a raspy voice yells from the room.
Elizabeth looks towards Dr. Carson stunned.
"Robert is back among the living," Dr. Carson responds smirking.
"When did he wake up?"
"Right after you left."
Elizabeth nods her head and walks towards the door.
"Watch out," Dr. Carson says playfully.
"I suppose I'll have to take my chances," Elizabeth laughs.
She opens the door slowly and is surprised to see Robert Romano sitting up in his bed staring intently out the window. With the overcast cloudy sky, it is still dark in the room, even with the window open.
"Robert, how nice of you to finally join us," she snarks breaking the silence of the room.
Romano's eyes light up at the sound of her voice. He turns his attention towards the door and where she is standing.
"Lizzie, I heard rumors," he responds bringing back memories of the conversation they had when she came back from England. He thought he'd never see her again when she came waltzing into the physical therapy session just last fall. Had that really been a year? He glances at his left side. It's still gone. Damn. Too bad that wasn't a dream.
Elizabeth takes a step closer. Against everything that she knows she should feel or hold back she's happy to see him. Glad to know that he's still alive, ready to wreck havoc once he gets back on his feet.
"Only the best ones I suppose."
"So is it true?"
"What?"
"Where you really going to have a memorial service for me?" Robert inquires smirking at the thought. Although his mental faculties seem to be intact, he is tired. Emotionally and physically.
"Don't look so disturbed, Robert," Elizabeth says sarcastically.
"I just think its funny that everyone would just accept the fact that I was dead because they found a hand or a lab coat, or an ID. Maybe it was just wishful thinking."
"Robert--"
"Everyone must have been celebrating when they thought a helicopter dropped on my head. I'm sure they were all breathing a sigh of relief down in the ER."
"Robert, people--"
"People were happy when I lost my arm. Don't lie to me, Lizzie, they were happy weren't they? Very happy that they thought it was me under the helicopter and not someone else."
"Robert--"
"No -- Glad to see that no one would have missed me,"
"Look--"
"Lizzie--"
"No Robert, listen to me."
"I'm sorry?"
"Glad to see the brain swelling didn't detract from your stellar personality."
"If you're here to watch me suffer--"
"I'm not. Regardless of what the idiots think down in the ER--"
"You do realize that's an oxymoron? Idiots, ER, and thinking should not be in the same sentence."
Elizabeth glares at him, "But continue on, Lizzie, I'm intrigued."
"What I was trying to say is that I--" she bites her lip, concerned.
Robert's face lights up and he smirks. He's got her in a place and a position where she is uncomfortable. In earlier days he would have relished in the ideas that Elizabeth Corday was uncomfortable in his presences, but with the combination of fatigue and still a somewhat hazy head no smart aleck comments come to mind.
"You missed me?"
Elizabeth shifts uncomfortably, but replies coolly, "Well someone had to show concern."
Robert genuinely smiles, "I'm glad it was you."
He yawns, tired from the mental jousting he so often shares with Elizabeth.
"You're tired. I should leave," Elizabeth responds walking towards the door.
"Elizabeth," Robert calls out for her through drowsy eyes, "please don't."
"Robert, you need to get your rest. You've been through a traumatic experience."
"I know what I've been through, Lizzie," Robert snaps.
She pulls up a chair next to his bed and folds her arm across her chest, "I'll stay until you fall asleep."
With heavy eyelids and a sudden onset of sleepiness Robert smiles up at Elizabeth. In instances like these Elizabeth sees a different side of Robert Romano: a human side. Beyond the screaming and the sarcasm is a man who is hurt and alone.
He sighs deeply and opens his eyes looking up at her, "Please tell me this isn't a dream."
"Go to sleep, Robert."
For once in his life he doesn't protest what Elizabeth was telling. Robert closes his eyes, ready to sleep. His breathing starts to slow taking him into a deep sleep.
Elizabeth stands quietly and is shocked to see that Romano had reached out to catch her hand, maybe in the subconscious -- or maybe out of reflex.
"Goodnight, Robert," she whispers gently pulling her hand away from his.
"Lizzie," he mumbles.
She waits, thinking he is still awake. But there's nothing. Elizabeth silently leaves the room, leaving a man who is very much alive, but also on his way down a very tough road of recovery. Not just physical, but emotional. Considering the fact that in less than a two year span a helicopter has ruined his career and nearly taken his life.
It's a rocky road ahead. One in which two years ago, Elizabeth would have never wanted to travel with this man. A lot has changed in two years -- especially in the relationship with Romano and her. A friendship has emerged. Platonic or romantic?
Elizabeth shakes her head not wanting to think about it.
"Platonic, nothing more," Elizabeth mutters. Shaking her head at the idea. It was something she couldn't deal with. Not now. But then again everything changes. Life is full of them.
TBC
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More to come! Please R&R!
~Jen
