I wonder if it'll be heard trying to keep the characters in character since I won't be watching the show after thanksgiving? Anyway thanks for the steadfast reviews from Sparky, Phantom, and my fanfic-inspiring muse EBStarr. I hope you enjoy this somewhat fluffy somewhat throw away chapter.

Romano rarely replayed his conversations in his mind. Unfortunately, the one with Kerry had him in a daze his entire drive home. He was certain that she was shaken when he left her office. Her sharp intake of breath at the sound of Alderman's name was enough to solidify that there was definitely a score one for him. The next step had to be played carefully. He had offered Kerry much more than he cared to. He was bluffing with his waving around of the folder and admitting he had a plan. The truth was all his had was information. He had been sorting through the ramifications of who to reveal this information to, last night, when he was interrupted with the phone call from Elizabeth.

Not that it wasn't a welcome distraction.

Once Romano arrived to his home he felt a familiar loneliness settle in him. He looked at his heavily brown-hue living room and still felt that same professional depth that he had aimed for in the design, but this time there was a notable inhumanity to it all. Robert quickly strapped a leash around Gretal and headed out to the park.

Elizabeth had reached that elated state of exercise where she felt like she could run at this pace forever. She closed her eyes slowly and felt the cool breeze on her damp skin. She opened her eyes and reluctantly looked at her watch. She knew she would regret it if she continued to run. Elizabeth slowed to a walk and felt her face flood with warmth and perspiration. She suddenly felt very tired and settled in a nearby park bench. She was resting comfortably here, still upright, but with her eyes closed when Romano approached her.

"Corday! Can't you hear that paging? Those Neanderthals in the ER can't seem to screw in a light bulb without your expertise today!"

Elizabeth smiled before opening her eyes. "Robert. What are you doing here?"

"What can I say, I get nostalgic for the homeless on Wednesday afternoons. I figure it's either this park or Cook County. And it smells better here."

"Missing the homeless? No. I don't think so. What are you doing here really?"

"Best crack this side of the river?"

"Strike two."

"I was lonely."

"Really?"

"Oh don't let it go to you head."

"Yes Robert."

"So, your turn. Your bed's a bit on the lumpy side but I seem to recall it slightly more comfortable than this wooden bench."

"I was running."

"So I smell."

"Shut up Robert."

He opened his mouth to respond but then shook his head in submission. After a beat he offered, "well I'm pretty sure my home is closer than yours from here. Would you like to take advantage of my facilities? Can I interest you in a nice cool shower? Towels and company are provided by the management free of charge."

Elizabeth's immediate reaction was to decline but she had to admit the idea of climbing onto the El as sweaty as was, wasn't that appealing. "Really Robert? You don't mind if I take a quick shower?"

"Not at all."

"I sure am glad you ran into me here today. You're my hero."

"All in a day's work." He replied before taking her hand and helping her off the bench. They walked in synchronous step with Gretal between them back to Romano's home. Once they arrived Romano gather a couple of his fluffiest towels and showed Elizabeth to his master bathroom. Before heading downstairs to fix a snack he laid out on his bed a pair of sweats that he was certain would fit Elizabeth comfortably. It was important for Robert that Elizabeth feel at ease in his home.

Romano's home was much less desolate than it was an hour prior.

He gave her a full ten minutes after he heard the water shut off before he came upstairs with a tray of fruit. Robert knocked softly with the back of his hand before pushing his bedroom door open enough to set the food down on a dresser. As he entered the room fully he put his hand across his eyes comically with a big gap between his fingers. "You decent?"

There was no reply.

Robert dropped his hand when he saw that she had fallen asleep atop his blankets still wrapped in his oversized towel. He walked quietly over to her and removed lifted the seats off the bed and placed them on a chair. He then pulled the blankets down on as best as he could around her.

"Lizzie. Hey climb in, ok? I don't want you catching a cold."

She mumbled something about 5-more-minutes but didn't move. Robert tried to lift her up himself but with his mechanical arm's inability to hold much weight it was futile.

He leaned his body over her and then lowered close to her ear and whispered, "Lizzie. Please. Can you climb into bed?"

She opened her eyes briefly and sighed, "Robert." She reached her arms around his head and pulled him gently down to her stomach. "Stay." His cheek had found the opening of the towel as she brought his head down to her. He nuzzled a bit against the smooth skin of her belly and inhaled the clean scent. She rubbed the outline of his ear and giggled. "Robert. You stubble tickles." She explained having woken up a bit more.

He froze feeling guilty. "I'm sorry let me just go fix" he tried to lift himself off of her but she had a firm grasp of his head.

"It's fine. Really. I like it." She reassured.

Slowly Romano leaned up from her grasp and climbed under the covers himself. Elizabeth followed suit.

Just before she drifted off in the warmth of the comfortable bed and body beside her, she thought back to the last time she snuggled up to someone for an afternoon nap. It had to be college. She smiled and adjusted, pushing in even further against his chest. She felt young with Robert. She didn't feel like an overworked single mother lying here with him. She felt like she had a crush.