I'm glad everyone thought drunk Elizabeth-worked. I wasn't so sure if I should make her so needy this early in the story. Thanks again for all of the feedback and GoddessOfSnark I know you wanted four this week but I have a TINY (two day) spring break and I will be computerless. Actually I will have my computer (can't leave home without it) but I will be internetless. I'll do my best to write but I won't post until Monday (or Sunday) if I end up going into the school that day. And TV-Crazy, your reviews make me smile every time. Thanks everyone!

"Alicia" Robert called from the backroom of the massage therapy office. "Were you able to get Dr. Corday on the line?"

"No."

Robert stepped into the main office area and looked around the gym. It was late. He could tell from the clientele. He had already gone through the embarrassment of having fallen asleep during his muscle relaxation session, and now, here he had to walk through the gym full of the true diehards. The ones who at 9:15 at night were inexplicably driven to go workout. He stalled a couple more minutes to delay the inevitable.

"You called the number I gave you?"

"Yes. There was an answer that first time but then there was a disconnection." The woman went back to flipping through her muscle and fitness magazine.

"You're not really reading that for the articles, are you?"

"Huh?"

"And then"

She looked up at him. "And then I hung up the phone."

"You said the first time."

"Oh right. Then I called again but there was no answer."

"I see. Well thank you Alicia. You have been nearly helpful."

"You're welcome, sir."

"Doctor."

"Huh?"

"That ought to be put on your tombstone. It really does say it all, doesn't it?"

She looked at him confused.

Robert rolled his eyes as he passed her and continued to cross through the gym to the exit. Once in the sanctity of car he flipped down the sunshield and looked at himself in the mirror. He was grateful they had a shower but he could feel his stubble already coming in. He wasn't looking his best but it'll have to do.

He was concerned that Elizabeth didn't answer her phone. Her chipper attitude last night had led him to believe she kept fairly late hours. Today proved that he was unable to keep up with her. "Asleep in a gym," he scoffed bitterly to his empty car.

He drove through town thinking through his schedule for tomorrow. His first surgery was scheduled at 2:00 in the afternoon.

It wasn't until he was turning into her neighborhood that he wondered if perhaps he shouldn't just swing by. Alicia's a dolt, but she didn't seem to be a liar. Would anyone who screens calls at 9:15 at night want company at 10:00 at night?

He put his questioning to rest when he saw that both her living room and kitchen lights were on. He knocked lightly on the front door but a moment later when he didn't hear any movement he rapped a bit louder. Still nothing. He was seconds away from kicking the door when Elizabeth opened the door squeezing her eyes closed.

She opened one eye just a bit and then closed it again. "Robert. You didn't I thought I'm" she began to sway. Robert completed her sentence for her.

"Completely inebriated." He stepped forward and caught a hold of her as she leaned a little too far in one direction. "Come, have a seat on your couch. I insist." He walked her into her living room and they both took a seat.

"This is my couch," she mumbled. "You come sit."

"We'll sit together, okay."

"Okay Robert." She smiled toothily at him and then leaned in and rested her head against his chest. A moment later he felt her full weight settle against his. Now What? He questioned silently.

The doctor in him spoke first. "Lizze, you are going to be just fine. A nice long sleep followed by a few hours of an excruciating headache that will make you question your will to live, and you will be just fine."

She mumbled incoherently and then pushed him down. She snuggled back up against him. The whole series of movements took less than ten seconds and Robert was left questioning if she were cognizant through any of it.

The man in him spoke next. "I'm gonna stay, right here on the couch resting silently cradling you in my arms mostly because I can't move." He struggled lightly from under the weight of her, but she had him pinned. "And partly because I can't move." He stroked her hair and kissed her softly on the forehead.