Thank you for the reviews. You are all really too kind. Well I am adding more. Thanks for those of you who are interested in reading through my whole learning curve. Hopefully my writing (and the Cordano romance) will only get better. J
" And all that was left was a sub-q bleeder which I fixed up myself." Elizabeth concluded. Romano's eyes were fixated on the ceiling and he was uncharacteristically quiet as she explained the amputation.
"Hmm sounds all pretty standard," Romano began. Much softer he finished, "I suppose the place really can get by without me."
"No Robert. I didn't mean"
"Yeah, yeah, I know it's not what you meant. I was just wondering what use I could really be now." Shaking from his emotionless stare above, he turned to her face. Stoic, he finished, "Come on Lizzie, where's that Corday brutal charm you gave to that Alex P. Keaton intern."
"Alex P what are you talking about?"
"Oh right, England. Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties a presumptuous 80's television show that tried, and failed, to turn us all into soft, warm, cuddly democrats. Michael J. Fox starred."
Elizabeth stared at him perplexed.
"Parkinson's Disease. Lizzie, really, you ought to try and keep up. I let you speak uninterrupted for ten minutes and your RIQ seems to have dropped below 70."
"RIQ?"
"Rocket Intelligence Quotient. Look being in the ER is not going to speed up my recovery. It certainly didn't help in these past months." Through clenched teeth he finished, "and I don't need specialized treatment."
Elizabeth closed her eyes and began to shake her head. She knew this conversation was coming but she hadn't expected it so soon. She wasn't ready to tell him how much he was needed. Needed by the ER and needed by herself.
Seeing that she wasn't going to reply he finished up the only thing left to be said. "I've already cut most of my losses why not just finish it off. I think I ought to tell Weaver to extend my week-long medical leave indefinitely."
"Come on, Robert aren't we being a little dramatic Even for you. This poetic think-of-what's-best-for-the-ER stuff is really not your style. Would you like me to send in some poor resident from Pysch to listen to your story? It's not going to work on me. I know you too well."
"Ah, now that's the Dr. Corday I've grown to love." Elizabeth flinched remembering how he had told her just that same thing a few hours ago still under anesthesia. Romano, noticing her withdrawl, tried to cover. "You do know me always the masochist never the bride."
Elizabeth smiled and looked back into Romano's eyes. "While I hate to be person responsible for finally bursting that much too big head of yours already. But, we really couldn't get by without you." She reached up to signal his forehead but once touching him, she let her hand gently brush at his hair with her fingertips. Noticing what she was doing she quickly withdrew her hand and brought it to her own lips trying to cover her blushing. "They I mean. The ER, and the hospital, it needs you."
"Of course it does Lizzie. And right now I think there is a cute little blond who needs you"
Together the both exhaled, "Ella."
"Perhaps your right. It is getting late." Elizabeth gathered her white coat which she had place at the end of his bed while she was talking about the surgery. "Goodnight, Robert."
"Goodnight."
As she reached for the door Romano found his voice once again, "HeyLizzie. Thanks."
She turned back to him tempted to ask what he was thankful for but decided it would probably only take away from the gesture to make him define it. "You're welcome," she smiled, "and don't get too comfortable in here, I plan on sending you home in the morning. You look plenty recovered." She winked and closed the door behind her.
Romano took a deep breath and let it out slowly and contented. "No, Lizzie, I won't get too comfortable," he announced to the empty room.
Walking out of the hospital she was sure to not look up and catch the eyes of anyone. She had a lot to process. "What was that" she asked herself. Sure Robert had left her flustered and frustrated in the past. He has always did have this way of getting under her skin. But this time it was different. While she was not willing to admit it out loud yet she knew this time she wanted him under her skin.