Still don't own E.R or anybody from it. And just to cover all angles, nor do I own the Disney Channel.
THE AMERICAN PATIENT
Chapter Six– Talk To Me
"The phenomenon of human magnetism can only be explained in terms of attraction or repulsion."
They sat dozing together on the couch as their bodies magnetically pulled them closer to one another until, shoulders touching , their heads leaned against the others for support. They stayed that way until Ella's cries shook them from their snatched nap. Elizabeth was up straight away, taking the stairs two at a time.
Robert wiped a hand across his face. He was still feeling warm.
'Damn I hate getting sick,' he thought. He took a swig of water before picking up the plates and carrying them into the kitchen. As he came back out Elizabeth reached the bottom of the stairs carrying Ella, who saw Robert and started wriggling in her mother's arms.
"Wobut, me go Wobut!"
"No, sweetie 'Wobut' is poorly remember?" Elizabeth chuckled.
"Wobut is standing right here and whilst he may have the flu, he's not completely useless!"
He reached out to Ella who wriggled across into his arms before looking at her mother with a triumphant grin. Robert carried her into the lounge and plonked her down on the couch.
"Hey Ella, how's about you show me all the cool channels?" he said grabbing the TV remote.
"Disney!" she shouted.
Robert complied and sat down as Ella scrambled over and deposited herself on his lap.
Elizabeth stood watching the pair of them in the archway. They made a sweet picture by normal circumstances. But this was Robert Romano, so the picture was incredible. Ella was normally shy around strangers, and although Robert technically wasn't a stranger, her normal behaviour would be to cling to her mother. But there she was cuddling into the tyrant of County General! And what about Robert? Since when, was he good with children? Actually she supposed, he always had been, it's just another thing she'd never bothered to notice about him.
She left them to it and set about starting dinner, occasionally looking up and smiling as she heard laughter carrying through from the lounge. She made a mental note to add Robert to her list of babysitters and had the feeling he would take her up on it. Once finished, she wandered back into the lounge to be met by the sound of silence and a picture of a heavy duty colouring in session.
"How are you feeling?" she asked Robert.
He looked up and flashed her a tired smile.
"Okay. Ella's been looking after me, haven't you munchkin?"
"Yep."
"Right, well dinners ready, so go wash up."
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Dinner passed very pleasantly and mostly uneventfully. Ella, as usual made a song and dance about eating her peas, but her new best friend convinced her to eat them, much to Elizabeth's pleasure and surprise. Robert didn't finish his meal, but managed to eat more than he had in days, and his temperature dropped to just a slight fever. Apart from the headache, sore muscles, stiff body and permanent fatigue, he actually felt a lot better he'd joked.
After dinner and another play session with 'his munchkin', he grabbed a quick nap on the couch whilst Elizabeth bathed Ella and put her to bed.
When she reappeared it was a little after eight o'clock.
He woke up as she sat down heavily next to him. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," she lied once again. It dawned on her that she was getting used to having him around, but was more than a little surprised to admit that she liked having him around.
"S'okay. She go down okay?" Robert asked rubbing his face, still a little groggy. Elizabeth just nodded and smiled at him.
"What?"
"Nothing," she replied.
He looked at her and raised an eyebrow questioningly. "C'mon spill...have I got dinner stuck to my face or something?"
"No...I was just thinking that, well... this is nice." Robert didn't say anything but continued with the eyebrow.
"You know, us sitting here...together...it's kind of... nice," Elizabeth stuttered.
"You mean as opposed to bitching about each other?" Robert said.
"You bitch about me? To whom?" she said feigning a hurt expression.
Robert rolled his eyes before looking down at his hands.
"Yes," he spoke softly.
"Yes...you bitch about me?"
Robert smiled and turned to face her.
"Yes...this is nice."
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They sat watching a movie, but neither of them could concentrate on the plot. Half way through it Elizabeth stood.
"Can I get you anything?"
"Glass of water maybe," Robert replied looking up at her.
She wandered off to the kitchen, before reappearing minutes later with water and a cup of tea. Placing the drinks down on the table she sat back down, not more than an inch away from him. Robert noticed the closeness and flicked his eyes sideways studying her profile. She was staring at the TV, face unreadable. He could feel the heat emanating from her body and suddenly felt hot and incredibly nervous. Sitting up suddenly he removed his sweatshirt, before leaning back down. She turned to look at him.
"So what did I miss?"
"Sorry?"
"The movie, what did I miss?"
"Lizzie, I haven't a clue what this movie's called, never mind what's supposed to be happening."
"You too? So why are we watching it?" She grabbed the remote and flicked the TV off, before turning to him again. "So how are you feeling?" she asked feeling his forehead.
"Tired," he answered truthfully.
"Do you want to go bed?"
He opened his mouth to speak then closed it, literally biting his tongue to stop the Romano response to a loaded question such as that. Instead he asked Elizabeth. "Do you? I mean... you look tired."
She looked at him. She was, but she didn't want to part company just yet.
"Maybe in a minute."
"So have you got any plans for tomorrow?" he asked, trying to move the conversation away from talk of beds.
"Well that all depends on you, and how you feel."
"Ahh, trying to get rid of me after all?" he asked looking away, trying not to sound too disappointed.
"No...just the contrary. If you're up to it, I thought maybe we could all go out somewhere and do something together?"
Robert's heart skipped a beat, and he felt his pulse quicken. If she was offering to go out in public with him, with her daughter, well that had to mean something, right? Tentatively he reached out a hand placing it on the back of hers. "I'd like that."
She looked down at his touch...saw the strong hand, the long fingers perfect for his chosen career. It felt soft and warm and Elizabeth felt her heart quicken. On impulse she turned her hand over folding it into his, lacing her fingers together with his.
He looked down at their clasped hands...this was way beyond normal boundaries. What was she playing at? Was she coming on to him? It was too much.
"Lizzie can I ask you something?" he said quietly.
She suddenly felt nervous and unconsciously tightened her grip on his hand. "What?" she asked.
"Don't misunderstand me here, 'cause I appreciate everything you're doing for me...but, why are you doing it?"
"I, erm...I don't know...'cause you're ill I suppose?" It sounded lame, even to her own ears.
"Riiight...so you make a habit of keeping sick men hostage in your house and holding their hands. Come off it Elizabeth!" he said more impatiently than he'd intended.
"What do you want me to say Robert!" she asked tetchily letting go of his hand.
"The truth would be good."
"Robert read my lips, I DON'T KNOW."
"Bullshit Elizabeth! Something's going on with you, you've changed towards me, you're acting different around me and I want to know why. What're you feeling? Talk to me."
"I don't know what you mean," she mumbled quietly.
"Oh, really?" he said sarcastically.
She didn't answer, just looked at the floor. He sat watching her for a moment then shook his head in exasperation. He'd worn his heart on his sleeve for six years now where this woman was concerned. He was transparent around her...she must know how he felt and he'd had enough – it was time she did some of the running.
He stood up.
"Where are you going?" she asked looking up at him surprised.
"Home."
TBC