Thanks for the reviews. This is not a Cordano cutesy chapter. What can I say; I'm getting a bit burned out on the cuddly stuff. It was bound to happen. I wanted to make the events in this chapter, #29, but thought I should write one more Romano-Corday scene since I did wait a week to update. Anyway… this is a plot filled chapter instead of an angst/romantic filled one. I can't write tense drama anywhere as near as well as YeBritishBabe but I hope you enjoy it all the same.
Tok, EBStarr, and Sparky015 how's this for short waiting time? I did it for you. :)
Romano walked in the main ER entrance to County General that morning. "Good morning, Dr. Romano," Chuny offered by habit before taking a double check. "What is he doing here?" she whispered to Haleh. Jerry and Frank joined their motionless stare as he stepped into the elevators heading up to Kerry's office. "It's like seeing the ghost of Christmas past right in front of you." Chuny announced after the doors closed removing Romano from their gaze.
Romano let a smile spread across his lips once the doors closed. He was going to enjoy explaining that he had been spending three days a week, on the surgical floor for the last month, without their knowledge. They don't know all the gossip.
He knocked loudly to the rhythm of "ding dong the witch is dead" on the Chief of Staff's door. Weaver shouted a quick, "come in" more as a demand than an offer.
"How's my favorite parade walker today?" Romano asked as he stepped inside.
Kerry was buried in paperwork with charts stack around her desk in organized piles. She didn't look up to him. "Robert. I thought we discussed the importance of your not being seen."
Romano took an unoffered seat on her couch and stretched out cockily. "Well Kerry, as usual, it seems you are the last to know. I've decided it's time to take Hillary Clinton's lead and tell all."
"I don't think that would be a good idea." Weaver answered finally dropping her attention from her work and looking up to meet Romano's confused face.
"Well look I know that Cruise and Kidman had hell to pay for releasing their breakup to the press on a Wednesday instead of a Monday, but I tend to think the media won't be too disappointed in us. But if you insist. What are you thinking? Next week? First of the month?"
"No Robert," she stated emotionless. "I think it would be a bad idea for you to ever come clean."
"What?" He spat, "Are you self-regulating your hormone medication again? We had a deal."
"Deals can be broken."
Romano held tight to anger and through clenched teeth asked, "What is it that you want now? Dr. Weaver."
"Oh it's not me Robert," her voice took on a mock airiness. "I'm only worried about your licensing. I doubt JACHO would be all too pleased with your procedures being performed in a hospital recovery room complete with a desk and shelves of molding text books."
Romano processed her veiled threats. It had been Kerry who dismissed Romano's fears about his makeshift operating room being too informal, and risky for contamination. "You bitch," he muttered to himself.
"What was that Robert?"
"Nothing… Dr… Weaver." He answered slowly with a controlled vehemence.
"Well, Dr. Romano, as you can see I have quite a bit of work to do here still. It's been so challenging to be both Chief of Staff and Chief of the ER in your absence." She stated to add the last bit of insult to injury.
"Very well." Romano stood and walked to the door, "I'll be speaking with you again soon." He finished threatening.
"I'll be looking forward to it Robert."
"Yes. I'm sure you will." He quipped before noisily closing the door behind him.
Romano found Shirley quickly and asked her to reschedule his procedures for the day.
"Sure Dr. Romano, but the patients might get nervous with the sudden change. Can you talk to them personally?"
"No I don't think that would be a good idea." Romano answered honestly. He was not in the mood to do any explaining.
"And if they try and back out their contract with you?"
"Let them." Romano said defeated. Then more under his breath he finished, "just like someone not-so-famous-as-she-would-like-to-think said deals can be broken."
"Well okay Dr. Romano. I'll see you next Monday. And hey, take care of yourself. You don't look so good today."
"Watch it Shirley," he said warningly before briskly walking away from her, the surgical floor, and the hospital.
Romano's mind was reeling his whole trip home. Weaver had outmaneuvered him. It wasn't the first time, but he was taking it harder than he had before. He had trusted Weaver, for a change, and was now being burned for it. There was no doubt in his mind that revenge would be sweet, he just needed to work out his plan with someone. But who would be his partner in crime? Who would he enlist in his planning? He had a short list of options: Susan Lewis, Michael Gallant, or Elizabeth Corday. He had already ruled out Shirley. As much as he respected her, and despite the fact that he held her in much higher regards than any other nurse, intern, or clerk, she wasn't in a powerful enough position to assist in the take down of Kerry Weaver.
Thinking through the remaining three he decided he really only had one option. Elizabeth and Susan certainly had the motivation and the cunning. But Michael… he would be the unexpected.