Gallant took a deep breath, standing in from of Romano's door.  He wasn't sure if it was a good idea to drop by when he was still harboring anger and disappointment over his conversation with Weaver.  But he had promised Shirley, and he was a man of his word. 

Gallant knocked three times on the dark wooden door.  Romano's dog started barking immediately.  A gruff authoritative voice rose above the bark, "I'm aware, Gretal.  I have ears too, you know.  And mine are even more often free of mites and worms, you flea ridden…" Romano trailed off opening the door, "Dr. Gallant.  To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Not only was Romano not overly depressed or withdrawn as Shirley had explained, he was uncharacteristically cordial.  Gallant stared at Romano quizzically.  Romano chucked and teased, "Oh come in, you iron-pumped chicken."

Gallant stepped inside but his confused expression never left his face.  "Dr. Romano?  Is everything ok with you?  I was expecting to see you at the hospital today and Shirley said you were there but left."

"Yes Sherlock, as you can see I'm here.  Enjoying the day as best as I can."  The two walked into the study and each took seats on oversized leather sofa chairs across from one another.

"Well if you'll excuse my bluntness Dr. Romano, you seem a little different.  You seem somewhat… happy.  It's something I haven't seen in you before, sir.  And well it's a bit unnerving…"

"Gallant" Romano cut him off, "I'm in a generous kind of a mood today.  I think we should talk about you." 

"Me? Sir."

"Yes, you Michael.  Don't be so surprised with my altruistic attitude; I'm sure it'll pass.  Best to take advantage of it, while it's here.  Tell me how you're feeling about your work at County General?  Are you still leaning towards surgery?  It would be negligent of me, if I didn't point out, that I think you have the talent."

Gallant weighed his options.  Romano had always done his best to keep their relationship strictly professional.  Gallant had tried on several occasions to get to better know Romano over the operating table, but Romano had let very little go.  There were certain topics that he learned were taboo.  Bringing up Romano's romantic feelings towards Dr. Corday, for example, was sure to lead to an hour of silence at minimum.  But never once, in all of their time together, did Romano ask Gallant about his feelings.  On the other hand, Gallant did want to get his previous conversation with Dr. Weaver off his chest.

"Actually, Dr. Romano, things are not proceeding in the way I would have hoped."

"Have you heard from Weaver about your trauma-surgical fellowship?"

"How did you know about that?"  Gallant asked confused, suddenly feeling much more unprepared for this frank conversation.

"Dr. Lewis said that she had helped you iron out the proposal."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"It is your baby, Gallant.  I think it's an excellent proposal, there is definitely the need, and you definitely have the ability and drive.  I didn't realize you were searching for my approval."

"I wasn't.  I'm not.  I mean… thank you, sir.  I just didn't know if you would see it as backhanded.  Had it been approved, I would have had to move away from my work with you."

"Bygones, Michael.  We both know that our work together is temporary.  I admire your fortitude in going after a more permanent position in surgery."

"Well, it's all for nothing, anyway.  After my conversation with Weaver today it's pretty much confirmed that as soon as you choose to come clean at the hospital, I'll be sent back down to the ER indefinitely."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that…" Romano said quietly with a half smile. 

"Excuse me, sir?"

"I... uh… tell me what happened between you and Weaver?"

Gallant spent the next few minutes explaining, uninterrupted, to his mentor the conversation he had had with Weaver.  "What bothers me most sir, is that I know she thinks that this was a compliment."  Gallant paused knowing that he was sounding a bit whinier than he had ever wanted to be in front of Romano.

In a sincere, low, tone Romano asked, "does that happen to you a lot Dr. Gallant?"

Gallant looked up to him vulnerably.  How did he know?  He thought, but he couldn't wrap his mouth around the words. 

"I can see from your expression that it does.  I am sorry Michael.  There are a lot of assholes out there, like myself, who feel that silence is a sign of weakness not respect."

Gallant nodded.  He couldn't believe that these words were coming from a man who had been shouting crude orders at him for the last few months.

Romano clapped his hands together causing Gallant to jump.  "Well, I have a proposal for you…" Romano said in his usual authoritative voice.  "Should you choose to accept my mission, that is."

Gallant looked up at him with a smile that Romano replicated.  "You know Dr. Romano?  I think that's the first time I have ever seen you smile."

"Well, you should be complimented.  It usually only happens around Gretal and…"

"And Dr. Corday?" Gallant finished.

"Yeah," he chuckled, "what can I say, the woman brings out all sorts of strange things in me."

Gallant was shocked that Romano hadn't backed away from his questioning.  He boldly continued, "Dr. Romano, did something happen between you and Elizabeth?"

"Perhaps." Romano admitted his smile growing wider despite his check muscles' straining to suppress it.  "But it's not particularly pertinent to this proposal I have for your future."

"Point taken Doctor.  But I have got to say, whatever happened, I sure do like the effects she has on you.  I could get used to little-ray-of-sunshine-Romano."

"You ever call me that again Gallant, and you won't be seeing it."

"Yes Sir."