Elizabeth led him inside and excused herself to the kitchen to fix some tea and call Chris.  Robert tentatively stepped around her living room and then, rather than follow her directions of making himself comfortable, he joined her in the kitchen.

"… no, no that's fine just bring her by when you are done." Elizabeth looked up at Robert giving him the ASL sign for "wait" with the hand that was not holding the phone.  He smiled and signed back, "no problem, take your time" before settling himself into a tall chair near the counter. 

"Oh… well I suppose. I mean if you are sure." She spoke back into the phone.  "Alright then, 11:00 tomorrow morning.  Yes.  I'll bring by the gift then.  OK, goodbye."  She hung up the phone on the wall and hesitated a little before turning to face Robert.  A nervous, "now what" spread across her mind. 

Sensing her uneasiness Robert stood to make himself look a little less comfortable, "I, uh, I just came by to apologize for being so rude when you came over earlier."     

Elizabeth smiled.  "Don't be ridiculous Robert, I should be the one apologizing.  I mean I dropped you to the floor twice and then ran out like some heartbroken teenager."  She froze at the choice of her words.

Romano looked up for a brief second to see the terror in her face.  Choosing to let the comment slide he answered, "well that's true…" Comically rubbing his rear-end he finished, "it's still feeling rather sensitive."  He flashed a wicked grin, "don't suppose you'd like to kiss it and make it all better?"

The comment shook her from her embarrassment and she quipped, "oh, I am sure you'll live."

"I suppose..."

Elizabeth walked past him to the stove and gathered cups and teas bags.  "Robert?"

"Yes."

"Do you plan on catching me up to date with your new appendage or are we going to just keep avoiding this elephant in the kitchen?"

"I don't know Lizzie, I've grown rather accustomed to the dance." 

The thought of him crossing over to her, grabbing her in a dance, entered her mind but the only movement made was the curl of her lips into a smile.

"Penny for your thoughts, Lizzie?"

"It's nothing," she answered shaking the thoughts away.  "OK, Robert well if you don't want to talk about your…" she pointed to his arm as he finished…

"Sudden change in center of gravity." 

"Yeah… well what do you want to talk about?"

"Well, I was hoping to do something with our mouths that didn't necessarily involve talking."

Romano watched her blush to a nice orange-pink hue, and then smirked to himself.  "It's almost too easy," he thought.

Elizabeth recovered quickly hoping he hadn't noticed her eyes drift to his lips, "Dinner, huh?"

"You know, your knowing me so well, kind of takes the fun out of it."

"Well, I try."  She smiled.

"So, I couldn't help but notice you were Tupperware-less when you appeared on my doorstep.  Is Gretal the only one you cook for now?" he stuck his bottom lip out in a pout.

"Yeah, well she would probably be more appreciative.  And besides, I don't see you bringing me dinner either, Robert.  I'm not so domesticated that I won't let that one slip by."

"Hey, hey now, I am in touch with my inner lesbian.  Don't mistake me; I'm a fan of the woman's movement.  I say the faster they move the better.  I've read my Sharon Olds."

"Who?"

"Nevermind.  What I mean is, do you have a plan for getting something to eat?" He raised his left arm and pointing to the space where a watch would be he finished, "my accessory here says it's just about dinner time.  When are you expecting Ella?  I'd kind of like to see the 'ole chip off your shoulder."

"Oh, well I actually agreed to let her spend the night at Chris's.  They are having a little slumber party for Chris's niece's birthday."  

"So it's just the two of us again." He winked, hoping to make her squirm again.

But she had seen this one coming and grabbed her jacket leaving the unused boiled water for tea to cool on her stove.  "Yup!  But this time, I'm driving."

"I wouldn't have expected it any other way." He answered following her to the van.