OK, so I hated, hated, hated Chapter 11 when I reread it. I even contemplated taking the whole elementary school plot twist approach and have it all be a dream. But after several days of thinking about it, I am going to leave it as is. There is no Cordano interaction in this chapter. You are forewarned. I know with "A Hopeless Wound" airing tonight, all fans are hoping that new fan fiction is just full of emotional "moments." If that's what you're looking for, feel free to read Chapter 11. Bleck! This chapter, on the other hand, has Romano being himself.
It had been eight days since Romano was released from the hospital and Elizabeth had no idea where he was or what he was doing. She was fixing lunch for Ella in the kitchen trying, as she had since their evening together, to get him out of her mind. "Bollocks" she spat as she dropped the knife she was using to cut up Ella's banana, on the floor.
"Mommy, owie?" Ella asked from her chair.
"No, Honey, I'm fine." She responded with a smile.
Ella picked up her spoon and performed both percussion and vocals in a nonsensical song she made up. Elizabeth pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes trying to will away the headache building.
Just as Elizabeth placed the quartered grilled cheese sandwich and banana on Ella's tray the phone rang. "Robert!" Elizabeth thought instantly but then, that is what she had thought every time the phone had rung lately. And, just like every other time, it was not Romano on the other end. Chris had called to explain to Elizabeth that she was having problems finding transportation. She politely asked for Elizabeth to meet her at a nearby park to drop off Ella before she headed into work.
With the additional stop added, Elizabeth had to get ready quickly. Seeing that Ella was plenty busy mashing her banana into her sandwich and pouring her sippy-cup with cherry berry punch over the mess, she head upstairs to throw on a tight silk sweater and a pair of dress pants. Spot-checking herself in the mirror, she decided to put on a bit of eye makeup. She hadn't been sleeping well and the effects showed plainly. Grabbing Ella, a stroller, and a sandwich for herself she head out to the park.
It hadn't taken as long as she expected to get to the park and found herself waiting for a few minutes on a bench as Ella met and befriended a girl in a matter of seconds. Elizabeth's smile grew wide as she thought of how easy it was as a child to make best friends with a stranger.
A sinking feeling came over her suddenly as she felt as if she was being watched. Glancing around the park she saw Michael Gallent, a young coworker, staring at her straightforwardly from across the swings. Once their eyes met he began to approach her. Elizabeth stood and met him halfway while glancing back at her daughter, who was actively trying to make the biggest sand mountain, ever, with her new companion.
"Hello, Dr. Corday." He smiled pleasantly.
"Elizabeth, please. Do you live around here?"
"No, actually I was just over at… I was just helping out a friend." He stammered. "I was actually on my way in to General."
"Ah, so was I." She smiled, "don't suppose you would like some company on the walk." Elizabeth turned back to see that Chris had arrived and joined in, pushing sand up closer to the young girls.
Gallent seemed to hesitate a bit looking around. Comfortable with what he saw he nodded, "sure, that would be great."
Elizabeth quickly exchanged pleasantries and pickup information with her nanny and then met back up with Gallant. "Actually… Elizabeth," he felt awkward being so informal with her, yet with how he had spent this past week, he felt as if he had known her for years, "I wanted to ask you a few questions about surgery."
Elizabeth enjoyed her walk to work. She hadn't really spent much time with Gallant previously, but she could see that he was committed to his work in the ER. She was surprised to find he was also a quick study as they discussed some surgical procedures he was interested in learning more about. Elizabeth had no idea that he had such a strong desire to eventually move into the field of cardio-pulmonary surgery. Shortly into their talk she had noted to herself that he seemed quite a bit like herself when she first came to County General, eager to advance in any and all ways possible.
She toyed openly with the idea of mentoring him, "I could certainly have you scrub in for a procedure if you find some extra time next week. Just let me know."
"Thank you Dr… Elizabeth, I would really appreciate that." He answered as they walked into the ground floor emergency department and headed off their separate ways. Seeing Elizabeth step into the elevator, Gallent looked down to his pager. He had been ignoring the vibrations since he left the park. Seeing the all too familiar number, he checked the board and then went into the lounge to return the call.
"Well hello, Romeo." He announced as soon as the phone picked up.
"You call me that again, and I will see that you stay in my ER forever." Romano quipped.
"Yes, Sir."
"Did she ask about me?"
"Who Sir?" Gallent smiled and turned towards the phone, as a nurse walked into the lounge.
"Who? Oh I see you're trying to be funny now. Let me remind you, I don't pay you for your cracks, I pay you for your hands."
"Yes, Sir." He answered still smiling.
"Well? What did she say?"
"Well Sir, we had a nice conversation about the future of the surgery department. It seems she would like to take me under her wing… maybe sit in on a few procedures next week."
"Well… doesn't that just sound cozy? Call me when you set a date, I wouldn't want to pass up free wedding cake."
"Actually," Gallent looked around the room and saw that he was alone again, "Dr. Romano, I think she might be moving a little fast for me. I couldn't help but notice that she had done herself up nicely with mascara and the whole bit for our little walk. I have never really been interested in pushy woman, but..."
"You, my friend, would be a lucky man if she were to be interested in you." Romano said honestly.
Gallent took that as his opening and shot back, "but she's not man, she's interested in you. Why didn't you call her?" He stopped but when Romano didn't answer right away he finished, "Why, Sir?"
Romano sighed and then bitterly answered, "Gallent, just because I have let you into my basement does not mean I have let you into my personal life. You should watch where you step my boy. I can find residents on every street corner of this city."
"Yes, Sir" Gallent answered before hanging up and heading back into the ER work his shift. "That is one complex man," he spoken softly to himself, "brilliant, but complex."