"Natasha, would you mind picking up some packages at the post office this afternoon? I will go ahead and leave the slips on my desk in the den."

"Yes Dr. Romano. And will there be anything else?" The young housekeeper asked with a shy local accent.

He stopped backing his suitcase and looked around him for a moment, thinking. "No. I think that is everything,"

"Yes Doctor." She smiled flirtatiously and then handed over his coat and hat.

"Thank you." He delivered stiffly and didn't return the smile.

Romano's work day passed uneventfully. Ever since he had spent the night at Elizabeth's he had done his best to avoid her. No reason to make an uncomfortable situation more uncomfortable, he had rationalized. But the truth was he didn't think he would be able to handle the rejection. The relief in her voice once she learned that they had been nothing but platonic that night on the couch, had mercilessly eaten away at him for those past three weeks.

Romano stepped into the public restroom before leaving the hospital. Unfortunately housekeeping had yet to visit the facilities and he found himself with wet hands as he left the washroom. Shaking his hands and looking to the floor he literally ran into Elizabeth.

"Watch it." He spat bitterly before lifting his eye contact.

Elizabeth smiled at him once his eyes finally reached her face and he registered who had run into. "Look Robert, I know you've done your best to make yourself invisible to me but I actually do exist."

"Lizzie. Good evening."

"Hi Robert." She nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.

" Beginning or ending?"

"Ending actually. Just like you."

It excited him to know that she had been keeping track of his schedule. She still made his pulse race. He looked around her to the quickly setting sun. "It's getting dark earlier, isn't it."

She turned around. "I suppose it is." Romano took the opportunity to walk forward two steps closer to the exit. She also didn't let the opportunity pass her by. "Feeling gentlemanly?"

"Pardon?" Romano asked confused.

"Single woman. Walking to her car alone after dark. Need that Boy Scout badge?"

Romano weighed his options. "Suppose it couldn't hurt."

It might. They both thought to themselves as they headed out to the door.

"So, I have been meaning to thank you for that tip with Deveraux and Haver."

"The tip?" Romano asked conversationally.

"Yes. Things are much better now. I feel much more camaraderie."

"That's good. All in a days work."

"I'm serious Robert." She stopped walking to be sure to get his full attention.

"So I see." He mocked turning to her.

"My father is looking for an area head and I would like to recommend you."

Romano took a moment as if he we were debating her offer. "Well to be honest, I don't know if I would be interested in supervising this staff."

Elizabeth was confused. He had seemed to get along with the staff here much more than he ever did at Cook County General. Disappointed she answered, "Ohokay."

"I mean really Lizzie, the two best surgeons just stop in the middle of the road expecting cars to go around them. Who needs to manage those kinds of ego?"

A smile spread across her face as they turned simultaneously and continued to her car. "I am serious Robert. I mean I don't know, really, why you came here but this seems like the opportunity to get everything back that you lost in Chicago."

"That is why I came." he confirmed. Elizabeth nodded. To get everything back I lost in Chicago. He finished to himself.