CHAPTER 14

"I've had an idea!" announced Susan Lewis, as she sat on the sofa, eating dessert.

Chuck rolled his eyes, and continued to massage her feet.

"Come on then; what's your idea?" He groaned.

Susan sighed contentedly as she finished the last of her ice cream. She proffered the bowl towards Chuck, and closed her eyes.

"I'm going set Jessie up with Romano," she announced.

Chuck stopped what he was doing.

"Um, I thought you said Romano was a class A jerk who deserved everything that happened to him?"

Susan nodded, her eyes still shut. She gestured that Chuck should continue, and he obliged, a look of resignation on his face. He'd learned that when Susan got an idea in her head, God help anyone who got in her way.

"Well, I'm not sure I haven't changed my opinion. He can be such an asshole sometimes, I'm almost tempted not to help him. But I keep thinking about Jessie. You know, just because I wouldn't pick Romano as a lust object, doesn't mean that she can't. And she's really got it bad." She opened her eyes and turned to Chuck. "You know, honey, we can't help who we fall in love with, can we?"

Chuck grinned.

"Very true, babe. So how does Romano feel about Jessie? That's the important question."

Susan sighed.

"Well, I'm not a hundred percent certain, but I'm pretty sure that he feels something for her. I don't know; little things he said, body language, that kind of thing. Call it women's intuition. I think that there could be something between them, if only I could get them in the same room." She paused, thoughtfully. "Whatever Jessie did to upset Romano, he seems to have forgiven her. That little girl came in, do you remember, the one who had her arm amputated? The one I told you about? Anyway, Romano asked Jerry to page Jessie and meet them in the canteen. Now does that sound like a man who doesn't want to see her again? I don't think so." She grinned. "And the clincher is, he was in a brilliant mood in the morning, and then, when I told him that Jessie had gone to Boston, his good mood disappeared. I mean it was almost instantaneous. I think he actually wanted to see Jessie." She turned to Chuck. "What do you think? Man's point of view?"

Chuck sat for a minute, thinking about what Susan had said.

"Well, I reckon you might be right, babe. But you could be confusing a simple need to apologize to her with all consuming love. Be careful. You don't want to break Jessie's heart even more." He moved towards Susan and wrapped his arms around her. "Poor Jessie. I hope it all works out for her."

"It will if I have anything to do with it," Susan muttered, determinedly.

vvvvvv

"I think we should have a party," Susan Lewis announced to Abby Lockhart, as they approached Exam Room 2. She pushed open the door, and Abby followed her in.

"Good morning, Mrs Burton," Susan addressed the patient, kindly. "I'm Dr Lewis; I'm here to take a look at you."

"A party?" asked Abby. "Hello again, Mrs Burton. Could you lean forward please? What sort of party did you have in mind?"

"Well, you know, Christmas is just a couple of weeks away, and I though that perhaps a bunch of us could go to a bar; perhaps some food…that kind of thing." Susan replied, as she listened to the patient's lungs. "I've checked the shift rota, and next Friday night looks pretty good." She glanced down at the patient. "That's lovely, Mrs Burton, thank you," she smiled. Moving round to the end of the bed, she picked up the patient's chart and began to scan it.

"Yeah, a party sounds like a fantastic idea! Friday's the thirteenth, isn't it?" enquired Abby.

Susan nodded.

"That's right," she answered. "Listen, can you let me know when the results of the chest film come back? Mrs Burton, we'll be back to see you later." Susan smiled at her patient and she and Abby left the room. "I'll talk to everyone, see what they think."

vvvvvv

In the ER, Robert was handing out charts. As the week had gone on, he'd thought a lot about what Susan had said. If Jessie was thinking of leaving because of what he'd said, he needed to clarify things before she left. He'd asked around, surreptitiously, and found that she'd returned from Boston the day before, and was back working at her old hospital. Further furtive investigations revealed that she would be back at County a few times between now and Christmas to clear up a few loose ends. I wonder if that's what I am, Robert thought to himself, just another loose end which needs to be tidied away.

He sighed to himself and began to make some notes on one of the charts. He hardly noticed Susan and Luca at the other end of the desk, talking to Abby.

"So anyway," Susan began, keeping her voice low, so Robert couldn't hear, "I was thinking we could all go out next Friday, for a Christmas drink – you know, season of good cheer and all that!"

"Sounds fantastic," Luca said. He motioned to Jerry behind the desk. "How about you, Jerry; you're not working next Friday night, are you?"

Jerry thought about it for a minute.

"Hey, is that the thirteenth? No, I'm not working – where shall we go?"

"There's a new place opened right next to the movie theater on Wisconsin." Abby interjected. "I think it's called 'Dr Watson's'; a friend of mine went there last week, she said it was really nice. We could check that out! What do you think?"

"Sounds great," Susan agreed, "Spread the word!"

vvvvvv

Trying to get Romano alone so she could invite him along, without the others overhearing, was proving almost more trouble than it was worth. Susan had to wait five days before she had a decent opportunity. Almost at the end of her shift, she spotted Robert making coffee in the employee lounge and slipped in to talk to him.

"Hey, Doctor Romano, can I ask you something?"

Robert looked up from his efforts and turned to face Susan.

"How can I help you, Doctor Lewis?" He asked, cordially. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Um, no thanks," Susan replied. She took a deep breath. Here goes nothing, she thought.

"Doctor Romano, you might have heard that we've organized a night out later on this week. I was wondering, are you free on Friday?"

"Um, uh – Friday? Uh yeah, I'm not working. Why?" He asked, suspiciously. "Are you looking for someone to cover your shift?"

Susan shook her head.

"Um, no, actually, I wondered if you wanted to come to this new bar for a Christmas beer. Or two."

Robert frowned. He wondered why Susan was inviting him.

"Well," he began, nervously, "I'm sure you wouldn't want your boss there – playing Scrooge and all that!" He smiled stiffly, and turned his attention back to the coffee.

"Nonsense," Susan smiled. "I'm sure everyone would love to have you there."

Robert snorted with laughter.

"Doctor Lewis, we both know that I'm the last person you all want on your night out."

"Please?" Susan persisted, thinking furiously. "There'll be a whole bunch of us. Luca, Abby, Jerry, Morris, I think, possibly Carter. Malik; Chuny said she'd be there, and some of the other nurses. I think Dr Corday's coming; couple of others. It'll be fun. And Doctor Weaver's working that night!" She nudged Robert gently. "Go on – it's Christmas!"

Robert considered the idea for a minute. He was pleased to hear that Kerry wouldn't be in attendance, and he'd felt a little reassured that Elizabeth was going. At least he'd have one ally.

"I guess, maybe, it might be fun. I know where Watson's is, although I haven't been there." Robert said, uncertainly. He still wasn't sure why Susan wanted to include him in her plans.

"Excellent! So, next Friday at eight, I guess, in Dr Watson's." Susan confirmed. She grinned at Robert. "I guarantee, it'll be an evening to remember!"

"If you say so, Dr Lewis," Robert said dismissively. "Now come on, back to work – we don't want Kerry Weaver coming in here wanting to know what we're discussing, do we!" He smiled at Susan, pleased to be included in the plans. Maybe the next three and a half weeks wouldn't be so bad after all.

vvvvvv

Susan cleared the dishes away, and turned to face Chuck. She'd been telling him about asking Romano to join the gang on their night out.

"So do you think he'll come?" Chuck asked.

"Well, I certainly hope so!" Susan admitted. "It'd be a real shame after all the effort I've made, organizing a night out where I can't have a drink!"

Chuck moved towards her, and wrapped his arms around her.

"Well you've got to look after this little one, haven't you?" He whispered, placing his hands affectionately on her tummy. "Have you told your other colleagues that Romano's coming?"

"Yeah, I let it slip that I'd invited him. They weren't too happy, but I played the old 'season of goodwill' line. I'm sure it'll be fine."

Chuck grinned.

"So, now to invite the lucky lady, or have you already done that?"

"No, I haven't invited her yet." Susan mused. "I've not seen her for a while. I'll just pop down now, if that's okay."

vvvvvv

Susan knocked on the door of Number 3, and waited. After a couple of minutes she heard the door being unlocked, and it swung open to reveal Jessie, glass of wine in her hand.

"Hey, Susan – I was going to come and see you later! How's things?" Jessie asked, ushering her friend in and closing the door.

"Pretty good actually." Susan admitted, shaking her head as Jessie offered her a glass of wine. "Busy at work, but nothing unusual. How was Boston?"

Jessie sat down, on the sofa and considered Susan's question.

"It was really good, Susan," she began. "Basically they want me to start as soon as possible. Running a team, helping to find counsellors, enabling their training, and I'd still get to practise. The money's excellent. Boston looks like a great place, and there's plenty of scope for progress."

Susan smiled at her friend.

"That's fantastic! So are you going to take it?" She asked.

Jessie nodded.

"I've been given until after Christmas to make a decision one way or the other, but, yes, I'm pretty sure I'm going to take it. It's a great opportunity to advance my career, and I think it's time for a change." She looked up at Susan. "But I'd appreciate it if you would keep that to yourself for a while – at least until I hand in my notice."

"Of course!" Susan agreed. "I'm really pleased for you, Jessie. There's only been good reports about your work at County – I know you'll do well. I will miss you though!"

"I'll miss you too, Susan," Jessie replied. "But I won't be going for a while. I'm not going to hand in my notice until January, then I've got to work my notice, and sell or rent the apartment, find somewhere to live in Boston – I reckon it'll be April before I leave. We've got plenty of time to plan visits and talk about names for that baby of yours!"

Susan gasped.

"How do you do that? How could you tell? Romano did exactly the same thing!"

Jessie got up and hugged her friend.

"Congratulations, mate. I'm really pleased for you!"

Susan smiled.

"It's pretty cool," she admitted. "Sometimes I panic about it all, but I know we'll get through it. And Chuck's a great guy."

"He certainly is!" Jessie agreed. She paused, remembering what Susan had said. "So how's Romano? Still angry with the world?"

Susan shrugged, vaguely.

"Not seen him much, to be honest," she lied. "But he promised to keep my pregnancy a secret from Weaver until I chose to tell her myself, so he's not a complete monster."

"I know he's not a monster," Jessie frowned. "He's just screwed up. But he's getting there."

"Well, whatever," Susan muttered, dismissively. She didn't want to talk about Romano. Changing the subject, she chatted about her pregnancy for a bit, and then stood to leave.

"Oh, by the way," she said, nonchalantly, "Do you fancy coming out for a few beers this Friday?"

"Any reason?" Jessie asked "I mean, if you're not drinking… it's not going to be a heavy night, is it?"

"Just a few of the girls; there's a new wine bar that we fancied trying – just thought you might want to come along!" Susan said.

Jessie moved over to the calendar and looked at it briefly.

"Looks like I'm free. In fact, I seem to be free all this weekend," she said. "Friday night would be great. Where are we going?"

"Dr Watson's, near the movie theater. I'll pop a map through your door tomorrow. Any time after about nine." Susan replied, thinking that that would give her enough time to get Romano there and sat down before Jessie arrived.

"Sounds great!" Jessie agreed. "Okay, I'm in!"

Susan grinned.

"I guarantee, it'll be an evening to remember!" she said, triumphantly. "I'll let myself out. See you later!"

The stage had been set. Now all Susan had to do, was hope that the players remembered their lines.