Thank you everyone for the reviews. Merrymime… I do it because I get a kick out of torturing others… how very Romano of me. BUT YOU can't talk. Do you know how many times I check to see if you have updated "Oh What Webs We Weaver" each day? It's too embarrassing to admit. Tosh… sorry to disappoint but I am all about writing misunderstandings. I hope you don't hate this next chapter too much.
Elizabeth looked around the house. She knew that how she answered Romano's question could change their relationship forever. She saw a picture of Ella on her desk. Romano didn't even know her. Ella was everything in her life… outside of Romano. She didn't want to have these two worlds separate. It wasn't fair to Romano, Ella or herself to make any decisions without Robert and Ella spending time together. But how would Romano feel? It's no surprise that there was no love lost between Romano and Mark Greene. Would Robert hold that against Ella? Elizabeth knew that Robert was good with kids at the hospital but this was different. This was her Ella. Elizabeth had no idea how to verbalize her thoughts and struggled to say the right thing.
The lengthy pause didn't bother Romano. He knew it was a loaded question. Perhaps it was even a little unfair of him. By sitting there with Elizabeth's body curved into his own, he didn't care if she ever answered. If it were up to him they would stay here on the couch all night. Perhaps not in this exact position all night… in fact his left leg, which was squished up against the side of the couch, was starting to fall asleep. Romano tried to focus all of his mind power willing his leg to stop twitching. He flexed his calf a couple of times hoping Elizabeth didn't notice his minor discomfort.
"Robert?" She started, "I don't really know how to answer your question. There is something missing here."
Romano stiffened, something missing he repeated in his mind. It was too soon. Hell Mark had died less than a year ago. I am so much stronger when she's not there in my arms, against my chest, her hair brushing… Ah! Stop it Robert. I should leave. He repeated, this time out loud, "I should leave."
Elizabeth turned her face to him but didn't sit up. "Leave? No Robert, I just need… well… I mean… I just want…"
Romano got to his feet somewhat aggressively. "Lizzie, you don't have to tell me what you want and what you need. Obviously I have overstayed my welcome, and I apologize for that. I won't let it happened again. I don't mean to be a complication in your life…" Romano wasn't even sure what he was saying, he just knew he had to get out of there. He had relaxed, completely with her, and she said he wasn't enough. He couldn't keep doing this to himself. It hurt to be shut out of her life before, and now… now that he knew her so much more... Now that he had fallen that much more… he had to get out of there. He was finding it difficult to breathe. He walked out of the living room. As his hand reached the door, he turned back to her. He could leave hastily. He knew he would regret it if he left without saying anything else, "Elizabeth, I… I enjoy your company. I want to be near you… I can't help it." He smiled weakly, "but perhaps we ought to keep our relationship in the hospital."
"No Robert, don't go." Her breathless, dripping with emotion, plead broke his tough exterior.
He walked back into the living room but stopped short of any real closeness to her. "Lizzie, I think it would be best if I just left."
"Well Robert," she stood up and walked over to him. It took all the strength left in her to finish, "once again, you're wrong." Her hands flew up cupping both side of his face. Confusion and nervousness displayed madly on his face. She leaned forward and kissed him. A tear spilled onto her cheek but she didn't wipe it away. She knew that if she backed away from the kiss Romano wouldn't hesitate to take the out. A second tear was squeezed out of her eyelids.
Despite the blaring reservations coming from his head, Romano felt himself reach up to her, tangling his fingers in her hair. He could feel moisture against his cheek. It was cool again the passionate warmth coming from their faces. He then felt the moisture from her mouth… too much moisture. It finally registered, in him, that she was crying. What have I done? This isn't what she wants. He stopped kissing her abruptly and pushed her away. Perhaps a little too strongly. She stumbled, mouth still open… shocked.
He could see her tear tracks clearly. "DAMN IT, ELIZABETH! I can't do this. I can see what this is doing to you." He reached up and gathered a tear to his finger. Elizabeth leaned into his touch. He regarded her intensely… so innocent… so kind. She was everything caring and humble that Robert could never be. He recognized his emotion as jealousy. "Goodbye." He announced firmly and took his leave before she could find the words to make him stay.