Ok, so I know it was cheap to cut off that last Chapter where I did. But I really was going to go to sleep. Damn that Alaskan midnight sun. Here's the next installment.

The request caught Romano off guard. Way off guard. His body tensed and recoiled as if he had been shot. "Uh I uh..." he stammered trying to collect his thoughts.

She said it. She really asked him. Elizabeth was recounting in her mind how many times she had talked herself out of it before now. But here, this time, she really did it. She had nearly forgotten it was a question that needed a reply when Robert meekly asked, "Why?"

"What?"

"Why? I mean Lizzy before I say that I would like to join you for dinner, I need to know why. What are you asking for?" He finished a bit softer, "and why now?"

Sensing his hesitation she tried to clear the air, "Well Robert you asked me out before. Quite a long time, before. And I had said that I had a "policy" about dating my superiors"

"I'll always be superior." Romano tried to interject. But Elizabeth continued disregarding the quip.

"Now though, you're not my boss. And well it's been a while since Markpassed." She paused and saw his face fall.

"Elizabeth, I can't be a consolation prize. I mean, I can. Hell, I have. But not with you."

"No that's not what I meant I just"

But he had already dismissed the offer. "Look Lizzie, maybe it is time for you to put yourself out there. Go have dinner with Dr. Tall, Dark, and Useless if you like."

Elizabeth reached out and grabbed Romano's chin bringing his eyes to hers. "Robert, no. You don't understand."

Romano reached up taking her hand from his face and held onto it. Squeezing it he looked intensely into her eyes, "No Lizzie, I do understand. And I can wait." He brought her hand up to lips and kissed it gently, "I've waited this long, haven't I."

She smiled, "yeah, but"

He dropped her hand and stood from the table, "But, but, there's always something with you isn't there. Come on now. Get me out of here. I've got a woman waiting for me at home and I am going to have a lot of explaining to do. I can hear her now, where were you last night? You didn't call? You promised me a nightly stroll?'"

Elizabeth finished, "Did you bring me any biscuits for me to wash down with toilet water?"

"Exactly." Romano smiled, "sorry Lizzie but my heart belongs to another. Gretal and I have been together far too long for me to miss two dinners in a row with her." He stopped before they walked out of the door and turned to her, "but the next time you ask, I won't say no."

She scooted past him holding the door open as he went through, "Oh, you are so sure there will be a next time, huh?"

"Well yeah! And I'll be expecting you to hold doors open for me even after I give into you."