Romano, fueled by the information Gallant had provided worked steadfast throughout the day. He mostly likely would have worked deep into the night had Elizabeth not call him before she went to bed.

"What." Romano spoke briskly, irritated by the interruption.

"Oh. Uh. hi." She stumbled caught off guard. "I just wanted to call to say goodnight. It's getting late." This was to be the first evening they would spend apart from one another since Elizabeth had learned about Romano's work at County.

"Lizzie." Romano spoke with a softened tone as he settled back into his chair comfortably. "So how was your day? Kill anyone today"

Elizabeth smiled, "well the day isn't over yet."

"I thought you said you were tired."

"Mostly."

"But not completely."

"Not totally."

"Be there is fifteen minutes."

"I'll answer the door if you're here in ten."

"Yes dear." He mocked before hanging up the phone and rushing to the door before Elizabeth could react.

In the fourteen minutes it took for Romano to make it to her front door she replayed their conversation a few times. She had every intention of just saying goodnight. It had been a rough day at work and Ella had been fussy about going down. But here she was pacing in her living room waiting for him.

She checked herself in the mirror again.

And then chastised herself for being so insecure again.

The knock on the door was so soft she barely heard it.

It helped that she was holding her breath.

"You're late." She said as she swung the door open.

"I thought you might say that," Romano answered stepping past her, into her living room. "So I come baring gifts."

"You do?"

"Why would I lie?"

"Oh yeah, Dr. Romano, the epitome of honesty."

"For that, I ought to just keep this." He teased as he removed a ring box from his coat pocket. Elizabeth saw the box and then silently walked past him with her head down and curled up on the corner of the couch. Her knees were tucked up to her chest.

Her reaction surprised them both.

"Elizabeth?" Romano questioned placing the box back in his pocket and walking over to the couch. "Everything ok?"

She blushed trying to work through her emotions. She was fairly certain that there was no ring in that box. It was too soon for her and she figured Robert would probably never be ready for a commitment like that. Rationally she knew there was no ring in that box. But still, the sight of it rocked her. She mustered her courage and found her voice without looking at him. "That must be the smallest container of Ben and Jerry's they have ever made."

"Cute. But no. I didn't bring ice cream this time."

"No?"

"No. Actually today's present takes us back much further than our game of truths."

"Oh really?" She relaxed dropping her legs off the couch and looking at him squarely for the first time that night.

"Well hello there." He smiled.

Elizabeth leaned in and the two shared a brief kiss.

"So what's in this box of yours?"

Romano leaned back and took the box slowly out of his pocket again. "Now don't go running this time, I failed to bring my Nike's." He started to open it to her but then turned the box and looked at its contents himself. He snapped the box closed. "Do you remember the first time I wanted to ask you out?"

"Magoos?"

"No. It was before that. Back in England."

"What? When?" Elizabeth searched her memory. They had known one casually in England. The two even worked across from one another once or twice when she had applied for the Been to America internship that brought her to the States. Their relationship had bordered on flirtation over the past few years but she was certain that she had a strictly professional relationship with him during the interviewing process.

"Do you remember the G-tube implantation on the Rearden case?"

"Yeah. It was unsuccessful. I thought I lost the fellow when she died."

"Oh yee of little faith."

"It was a routine procedure and the first I ever assisted you on. I really wanted to make it perfect. I really wanted to impress you."

"It was perfect. You did everything right. I knew it then."

"You knew that I did everything right? You were such an ass to after she died. I remember I went to your office to offer my condolences and you practically shoved me out. I was shocked when you chose me for the BTA."

"No, that's not what I meant. I mean, yes, I knew back than that you were going to make a great surgeon, but what I mean is, I knew then that I wanted to ask you out."

" And that is why you were so short?"

"Oh please, it's not a Sweet Valley High story. Trust me, I wasn't pulling your pig tails because I had a big crush."

"No?"

"Well maybe a little."

Romano leaned in and kissed her. This time their kiss was a bit more prolonged but they were hardly making out. They enjoyed their conversation as much as they enjoyed the physical connections from their lips.

"So in this box is a little memento that Ms. Rearden gave me."

"A patient gave something to you? That hardly seems possible with your glowing bedside manner."

"Well maybe "gave" isn't the right word."

"Oh really? And what would be the appropriate words?"

"Stole from her stiff cadaver?" He offered meekly.

"Robert that's horrible."

"Well yeah but romantic nonetheless." He turned the box around and opened it to her. Inside the rind box contained an unmistakable plastic circular medical piece from a g-tube."

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open.

"Catching flies?"

"I-I don't know what to say Robert. That is both the most sentimental and most disturbing thing I have ever seen. Both of which, I might add, I have grown to expect from you." Elizabeth took the ring out of the box and toyed with it between her fingers.

"Thank you."

"No Robert thank you. I really need to thank you for the past few weeks. You have really make me feel special and appreciated. And that's something I truly haven't felt in a long time."

They both leaned into their third session of kisses for the night. Elizabeth explored the corner of his lips with her tongue. The corners turned up in a smile. She leaned back and looked at his face. He blinked his eyes open.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing. You're looking at me."

"I like it when you smile."

"Good. I like to smile."

"One wouldn't think that having known you for the past seven years."

"Lizzie?"

"Yes."

"Shut up." He finished before kissing her again.