TURNING THE TABLES
Chapter 3 – The Waiting Game....
Elizabeth gulped nervously as the doors to the trauma room swung open to reveal Carter. He spotted her and walked quickly towards her wearing what he thought was an encouraging smile.
"Hhhow is he?" she stuttered nervously, rubbing a hand over her mouth and trying to glimpse a peek through the doors before they swung back closed.
"He'll live, mores the pity." Carter quipped lightly, ripping the latex gloves off his hands.
Elizabeth blinked rapidly at the levity of his remark, and the words hit her full centre in the stomach, making her livid. All the pent up frustration and worry she'd been carrying around for the last few months manifested itself in a furious rage towards the young doctor, who stood before her so casually belittling Robert. She watched in morbid fascination, as her hand rose up and connected hard with his cheek, leaving a large red patch in her wake.
Cater stepped back, shocked, a hand gingerly rubbing his cheek. She watched him recoil and heard her voice, loud in her own ears as she screamed indignantly at him.
"How DARE you! Don't you EVER speak of him like that again....do you understand me? That man has just risked his life to save my daughter.... he's TWICE the man you'll ever be, you jumped up, LITTLE RICH SHIT!"
Carter's other cheek flamed red with embarrassment as he looked around him for help, but saw none forthcoming. When Elizabeth finished her tirade he held his hands out apologetically.
"I'm sorry Dr Corday, I didn't mean to offend you, or Dr Romano for that matter...I'm really sorry..."
Elizabeth's tear stained eyes flamed with anger through his weak attempt at an apology. Carter felt her temper rising again and attempted to diffuse her with cold, medical talk.
"Look, err he's still unconscious and we're taking him up for a CT. The good news is there's nothing broken...he's got a nasty laceration to the head, but it's superficial.... I am worried about his left arm though; it took the brunt of the impact and I'm worried there may be sensory loss. I'm going to ask Dr Klein to take a look, when he regains consciousness."
Oh God no, this will be the last straw!
Her eyes welled up with fresh tears and from somewhere deep within, a pitiful whisper escaped her mouth.
"Noooo."
Her shoulders slumped forward defeated, and she dipped her head staring at the linoleum-covered floor.
"I'm really sorry Elizabeth." Carter said sheepishly, actually beginning to feel quite bad about his earlier comment.
Susan approached them, having witnessed the whole episode, along with nearly the entire ER staff, who were busy exchanging smirks at one another.
"Elizabeth are you okay?" she asked, before turning to Carter wearing a filthy look.
"Go away."
He did, relieved to be getting out of the whole uncomfortable, emotional situation.
Elizabeth let the tears fall, and Susan wrapped her arms around her, rubbing her back in soothing circles.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked tentatively.
Elizabeth's head snapped up on hearing the trauma doors open. Luka and Abbey wheeled Romano out on a gurney towards the elevator. Elizabeth's eye's locked on Robert's unconscious form and her knees buckled at the sight. Susan caught her as she stumbled.
"Hey come on, sit down. You're still in shock."
She sat the pair of them down next to Ella who was sat colouring in, and looked at the departing forms headed for the elevator, then back to Elizabeth, who's gaze was firmly fixed on them.
"You care about him don't you?" It sounded more like a statement of fact than a question.
Elizabeth nodded and tried to blink away the tears from her eyes. Susan placed a comforting hand into her friends, and peered into her face, forcing eye contact.
"Does he know? I mean I kinda got the impression you two had fallen out big time."
"We....it's complicated. "
"Riiight."
Elizabeth looked down to the floor and let out a desperate sigh.
"I.... I hurt him very badly Susan.... let him down when he needed me ...after he had helped me...I let him down." She stuttered.
"Sooo, make it up to him.... help him now."
She shook her head. "It's too late.... he doesn't want my help anymore. He hates me."
"Elizabeth...it's pretty obvious to anyone with a brain cell that he's hurting, and I don't just mean physically. He's lashing out at everybody; trust me, if he's riling at you it means nothing. I'll tell you what I do know though, and that is, he's not capable of hating you."
Elizabeth didn't say anything, so she continued, "You know, they always say you hurt the ones you love the most...I've seen the way he looks at you...I'm sure if you went to him, told him you were sorry, he'd forgive you."
"I'm not so sure, I can't even forgive myself!"
"Well if you don't try, then you'll never know." Susan said forcefully.
Elizabeth continued to stare at the floor and Susan tried again.
"Look let me take Ella tonight and you can stay with him... I'm sure he'll appreciate it."
"I can't she needs me too, especially after today."
"Ella's fine look..." she pointed down to the floor where Ella was busy colouring in at Elizabeth's feet.
"Kids are resilient Elizabeth; she's probably not even aware of the danger she was even in."
Elizabeth didn't say anything, she just stared at her daughter, re-living that wretched moment this afternoon when she thought she was going to loose her. Then she saw Robert throwing himself selflessly over her, shielding her from the danger.
"Look at least go and see him eh?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"Can you watch Ella until I'm back. I'm not comfortable leaving her with anyone else."
"Sure, take as long as you want.... go on catch them up."
"The CT's clear." Luka said, "He's got a bad concussion but he'll be okay. We'll have to wait for him to come round to gauge the extent of damage to the arm though."
"Thank you." Elizabeth breathed relieved.
"We're going to take him down to a private room now."
"I'll see him settled, if that's okay?" she said.
"Of course."
She sat watching him, in the darkened room, listening to the steady blip of the pulseox monitor, drawing comfort from the regularity of it. His fingers moved slightly in her hand and she shot her other to his face.
"Robert can you hear me?"
His fingers moved more forcefully against hers and she smiled. Caressing his cheek with her palm she turned his face towards her.
Robert's eyes flittered open briefly and she smiled. He mouthed 'where?' at her and blinked again.
"You're at County Robert. You knocked yourself out but you're going to be fine. Do you understand?"
He blinked again, and dipped his head ever so slightly.
"Good. Get some rest okay?"
He closed his eyes and she watched him for a time, before rising up to go and find his doctor. She needed to make them aware Robert had regained consciousness, and was also desperate for some caffeine, now that she was beginning to calm down.
It took some time to find his doctor and locate the cup of coffee she now held snugly into her, drawing a small comfort from the warmth that permeated against her clothing. She sat down next to the bed and glanced over at him. His face was screwed into a grimace, and he was moving around restlessly. Elizabeth watched helplessly as he became more and more agitated, his right hand repeatedly clutching his left arm. She realised with dread that he was trapped in a nightmare, and it was pretty obvious he was reliving that fateful night on the roof.
A desolate moan escaped his mouth, and his head began to turn side to side restlessly.
She took his hand into hers and placed the other to his cheek. "Robert wake up, you're having a nightmare.... Robert!"
Another pitiful groan, and he became more unsettled.
A knock at the door caused her to turn round. It was Susan, holding Ella in her arms.
"How's he doing?"
"He came round for a while, but now he's become agitated. I think he's reliving the accident."
Susan looked over at Romano, and felt immediate empathy with him. She still had nightmares herself about that night; God knows what it was like for him.
"Elizabeth you should stay.... if he's stuck on that roof, trust me he's gonna need a friend... it was horrible Elizabeth, I can't begin to describe how bad it was.... it...."
Elizabeth watched as Susan went slightly pale, unable to take her eyes of Robert's left arm.
"You'll take Ella?" she asked, having made the decision.
"Yeah, I'm off tomorrow so don't worry, take all the time you need."
Elizabeth noted Susan's eyes still lingering on Romano's arm. She reached out and placed a hand on her forearm. "Thanks."
The touch brought Susan back to the now.
"Tell him I said hi, when he wakes up."
"I will, if he'll let me..."
"Make him Elizabeth." Then she turned and left, taking with her, her own demons from that awful night.
Elizabeth watched her leave then took Roberts hand in hers and sat down by the bed...
He could feel the burning pain as he hit the ground staring at where his arm should be. Felt the vomit rise and begin to choke him. Flashing lights made him dizzy, and that god-awful deafening noise, rang loudly, battering at him. Blood, he smelt blood; his blood everywhere. Then there were faces hovering over him, but he couldn't make out who they were. Cold, so cold...everything was fading to nothing around him.
I'm dying....Oh God
Something warm reached out to him, held his hand calming him slightly. This was different somehow; this was not the way the nightmare usually went. Then he felt the soft warmth spread to his face, felt something brush his lips. There was safety in the touch and he felt himself running to it, embracing the security it offered.
She felt his fingers twitch in her hand and pushed her face to his. His eyelids were fluttering slightly.
"Robert...Robert, wake up.... please...." She shook him rigorously.
Something wet touched his face, then another. He struggled to open his eyes, but it was too hard. The wetness was moving down his face, tracing a path to his mouth. Parting dry lips he pushed his tongue around them. The wetness reached it's destination and he tasted it. Salty; tears he thought.
Another effort and his eyes opened, squinting.
"Elizabeth?" he rasped weakly.
"Sshh, do you want some water?"
He nodded his head slightly, and she reached over to the table retrieving the water. She held it to his mouth and he sipped from the straw.
"Ella?" he croaked.
Elizabeth smiled, "Ella's fine Robert, you saved her; she didn't even have a scratch on her. I don't know how to begin to thank you."
He closed his eyes, blinking away the relief that washed over him at that news.
"I've been so worried. You woke up briefly over an hour ago, but then you were having a nightmare and I couldn't wake you." Elizabeth rambled.
Don't remember waking before? Okay so, Ella's fine.... now send her away.
"Why are you here?" he asked coldly.
Elizabeth replaced the glass on the table, trying to stall the confrontation she knew he was starting.
"I was worried about you."
"Well I'm fine, Ella's fine, you've said thanks so you can go now."
"Robert..."
"I said go Elizabeth." He turned his face away from her.
"Robert please, let's.."
"I don't want you here. I can't make it anymore clearer than that."
Elizabeth stood and looked down at him sadly.
"I miss you Robert... look...I'm staying here tonight like it or not; I'll be outside okay?"
He continued to look away, and spat "Whatever, just get out!"
She turned to leave, and he moved his head to watch her go, wanting desperately to call her back.
No...do not let her do this to you again!
He woke up as a nurse entered the room.
"Good morning Dr Romano, how are you feeli...."
"Where the hell is my doctor?"
"Erm, I think Dr Klein is coming down to see you in a moment sir."
Sir? Okay he'd let her off for that.
"Fine."
"Err, can I get you anything?"
"No, just do what you have to do, then go."
She made her observations and left as quickly as possible.
Elizabeth popped her head in a few minutes later. She smiled nervously at him and he watched as she approached the bed. She looked tired, and from her apperance had obviously spent the night here. He couldn't believe she had stayed.
"Why are you still here?" he snapped.
Well obviously a night's sleep hasn't improved matters.
"I told you I was staying. I want to make sure you're okay.... Dr Klein will be here in a minute."
"And what's that got to do with you?"
"Robert you can't push me away, I won't let you."
They stared at one another, each weighing up the others resolution before going into battle.
Klein entered the room and took in the scene and the uncomfortable silence.
"Robert, Elizabeth." He said quickly.
Romano tore his eyes away from Elizabeth and snapped, "Marty about time."
"Right, well let's take a look..."
"Wait.... Dr Corday if you don't mind...."
Elizabeth looked at him, her eyes beseeching him for permission to stay, but she found none. Sadly she turned and left.
"Dr Klein." Elizabeth jumped out as soon as he left Robert's room.
"Jeez, you made me jump."
"Sorry. How is he?"
"Dr Corday, I can't discuss that with you, you know that."
"But Marty..." she began.
"Elizabeth, I'm sorry.... he specifically told me not to discuss the matter with you."
She looked down at the floor and swallowed hard. Klein watched her pityingly and turned his head back to the room he had just exited. When he returned his gaze to Elizabeth she was looking staight at him, and he saw the pain and aguish that dwelled in her eyes. 'What the hell' he thought.
"Look, I can't say much you know that. He'd have my ass for breach of doctor/patient confidentiality...but...let's just say his road to recovery has taken a major setback."
"Oh, God no."
"I'm sorry. The impact has damaged any recovery he had made these last few months. He's got a long road ahead of him..." He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "It would be good if he didn't have to go it alone, hang in there eh?"
She nodded. "Thank you Marty."
"No problem."
When he got to the elevator he turned around and watched Elizabeth still standing by the door, her hand poised on the handle. The elevator arrived and he stepped in wondering if she would make the move that might possibly help his tortured boss get his life back.........
TBC