Chapter 4

AN: Yet again, I own nothing. And thank you if you've reviewed it.

The sun had just started to peek through the blinds, he wasn't ready to wake up yet. The bed was warm and she was so soft, so comforting. He allowed his eyes to open just a sliver. Her hair was spread across the pillow, a fiery cascade of curls that he could bury his head into, the light of the sun slowly illuminating the slender curves of her body, her hair, her face, her hand upon the pillow. He pulled her closer into his embrace. A glint in the light caught his eye. A delicate and slender hand, her left hand, glistening in the morning sun. The ring he had placed upon her finger. He sighed, a contented man. She turned, waking up as she did so, eyes fluttering awake as she looked at him.

"Hello, sweetie" and then she kissed him good morning, the hand with the sparkling ring tracing the contours of his face. His beautiful wife. His wife. His Lizzie.

Lizzie.

Robert Romano's woke with a start.

Gretel had her paws up on the bed, licking and nuzzling his face demanding his attention. The alarm still had 15 minutes on it and he groaned at the realization that it was all a dream. She was not in his bed. She never had been.

Gretel was very insistent. She loved the morning attention Robert gave her and often tried to get into the forbidden bed for a good snuggle before the alarm before he went into work mode. But not today. Out of bed and downstairs, before his brain could process his actions, he made Gretel her breakfast before starting his coffee.

Robert was no stranger to dreams about beautiful women. Elizabeth had featured in several since he had met her, he wasn't blind after all. But leaning over his kitchen counter with his head in his hands he was forced to admit a troubling fact, she had never before appeared as his wife in these dreams. No woman had. He's certainly fantasized about her, how she would feel beneath him as he moved inside her, but never waking up beside her as his wife. He was left feeling bereft as never before.

Just make the coffee, read the paper, and then get ready for work. No need to think about something that will never happen. A stupid infatuation with an unavailable woman. It was just a dream. A dream he didn't think he would ever forget. Nor could he forget the previous night.

Dinner with Elizabeth at the Surgeon's Gala. They had been having a good time till he asked a stupid question that she was sure to take offense to. His pager saved him from what he was sure to be a scathing response, but only put him in more hot water by the end of the night.

Fuck Peter Benton. The man didn't wait for him before starting the surgery. Demesa has blown his staples by eating like a hobbit at a feast and was found passed out in a storeroom in the ER. What a lovely Christmas Eve. Robert has been pissed to get the page and even more pissed by the time he arrived at CCGH. The taper on that turd was being accused of being drunk. Drunk and then taking a swing at Benton. Benton who deserved it for so many reasons. Benton who had possessed his Lizzie, and never aspired to be more than a passing flirtation. He wished he'd never have met the man and wished he hadn't been so blinded by rage when he took a swing at him. He was a black belt for Christ's sake and he knocked himself out with a misplaced swing.

This was going to be a hell of a day.

The Gardner surgery was scheduled for 9 am and he had to work with her. He didn't want to see her. She would never see past her hurt pride and acknowledge that his pride was hurt as well. And yet he still wanted to work with her, she was brilliant after all. It was why he sponsored her in the first place.

Robert spent the rest of his morning doing his best to not dwell on the previous night. He was going through the motions of getting ready for work and playing with Gretel when his phone rang. He knew it had to be his sister trying to catch him before he left. Robert has made the mistake of telling Gwen his Christmas Eve plans. He did not want to deal with her insistent questions right now, so he let it go to the answering machine. Sure enough, it was Gwen.

"Rob, answer the phone. You couldn't Possibly have left for work yet. It's Christmas and we all want to talk to you. Roooobbbberttttt. Fine, be like that. We only send Gretel love, you have to call back for yours."

Older sisters were obnoxious. Gretel had heard her name on the machine and was now looking at him expectantly.

"Hey girl" she leaned against his leg and looked up at him. "Ok, I'll take the hint." He sat down on the floor with her and she instantly rolled over for a belly rub. Spoiled. But that's what dogs were for, spoiling and loving.

"Who's my girl, you are. Yes, you are. " Robert had the universal dog voice down, full of love and affecting. "You love me don't you Gretel." At least one curly-haired girl did, pity it was the one with four legs.

"Ok girl, it's time for work" she jerked upright at the word work. Work was an evil word that Gretel understood all too well.

He got up off the floor and brushed himself off before putting on his suit jacket and grabbing his coat. Robert was out the door and in his car headed toward County quicker than he could say, Lizzie Corday.


Robert's first stop when he got to County was the surgeons' lounge for coffee. Anything to keep him busy and away from her. She would be his New Year's resolution, to get over this infatuation that had gone on long enough. Coffee in hand he went to check on his first patient of the morning, Mr. Gardner who had just arrived.

"Mr. Gardner, how are you doing this morning?"

"Well, it could be better. Just ready to get this over with." Gardner seemed distracted. Who could blame him though.

Robert could tell people we're looking at him, probably the nurses and probably talking about last night. He could hear the gossip now. Dr. Romano was drunk, Dr. Romano tried to hit a resident. Just thinking about it made his mood darken and it showed to Mr. Gardner who was now eyeing him wearily. The man was looking for an out of the conversation and the moment he found one was evident.

"Merry Christmas Dr. Corday. " Gardner was visibly relieved to see her walking up behind Romano. Yet again looking for her to be his savior. Robert felt her presence before he saw her and was gathering all his nerve to face her and be indifferent.

"Happy Christmas." Her voice was neutral as she greeted their patient before she turned to address him.

"Good morning Dr. Romano"

Robert turned to look at her as she greeted him and realized instantly that putting this woman out of his mind might be impossible. She wore a small, but genuine smile for him and he could feel his resolve crumbling away. Elizabeth was wearing a fitted royal blue sweater with a subtle design he couldn't make out, and a calf-length tartan skirt with boots. She held herself composed and regally. As beautiful as she looked in her ensemble he could tell she wore it like armor, against him or the world he couldn't tell. Frankly, he didn't care. She took his breath away and his dream came rushing back to him.

"Dr. Corday. You look very...festive. Is your mother by chance Scottish? " It was all he could manage, trying not to think about his dream or the feelings seeing her provoked. His question was rewarded with a broad smile and a deep laugh.

"No, my mother is not Scottish, although I would pay a very large sum to see you ask her that. The tartan and sweater are gifts from my godparents actually and I thought appropriate for today." Happiness flitted across her face at the mention of family.

"Ah, well something tells me I wouldn't survive long enough to enjoy the money." Any woman married to Charles Corday was to be considered dangerous and avoided at all costs. However, Mr. Gardener chose this moment to interrupt.

"What an interesting present, did they say why they picked it?"

Elizabeth turned to look at their patient who dared comment and gave a rather terrifying smirk.

"Oh yes, their note said to 'Give the Americans hell'. My whole family has been very fond of saying that since I moved here. " A very dangerous smirk. A not to be trusted smirk.

Mr. Gardner had an uneasy laugh at this, clearly unsure if he should continue to ask questions.

"Well Lizzy, I think you've been doing just that since you arrived. " Robert couldn't help himself, he liked having her attention even when she was clearly dressed for battle.

"Gentlemen if you'll excuse me, there is coffee calling my name." And she was gone.


The Gardner surgery had gone smoothly and Robert had regained a sense of control over his emotions by the time it was done. The OR was where he thrived, and this time was no exception. Elizabeth however seemed off. Off enough for Shirley to comment on it after the surgery.

"Tell me, Dr. Romano, were you mean to her last night as well?" Shirley barely looked up from her notes, electing to raise an eyebrow at him instead.

" Ha. Ha. Ha. I don't know why you'd think I was mean to anyone." He gave her a look in return and let her get away with the comment. He liked working with Shirley and didn't want her to hold last night against him. It seemed she wasn't going to give up though.

"Seriously Dr. Romano, she seems... .off. Did she seem ok last night? Do you think we could be seeing a hungover Dr. Corday?" Shirley pressed the issue again.

They were walking down the hall now to the main desk. Coffee was in order for him and Shirley had notes to complete and patients to check on. Elizabeth was walking out of the recovery room, looking every bit like a woman alone in the world. Robert and Shirley shared a look. It was so obvious that something was wrong with Elizabeth, and Robert had a very good idea that he dared not share with Shirley. He had great respect for her, but the woman was an OR nurse, a breed of gossips of the highest degree. As they approached the desk, Elizabeth looked up as if she knew they were talking about her.

"What." Her tone was short and her face relayed a desire to be left alone.

"What a joyful mood you have on this Christmas day, Lizzie." Robert was trying to be nonchalant and hoped that Shirley would go along with it. Elizabeth's nostrils flared in response, she was in no mood to speak to anyone. Robert took a careful look at her, she didn't seem to be showing signs of a hangover so all the wine and scotch she had the night before apparently had no effect.

"Well," Shirley was pressing the issue and Robert didn't know where this conversation would end, a train wreck waiting to happen probably. "Well, we just couldn't help but notice that you weren't yourself in the OR today."

"I wasn't myself in the OR?" Every word was enunciated and a sneer formed on her face as she said it. "Pray tell, whatever do you mean?".

Robert and Shirley looked at each other, a silent game of chicken going on and the first to look away would have to face the wrath of the angry Dr. Corday. Robert lost, turns out Shirley was made of stronger stuff than he thought.

"What Shirley means to say is... .we're ah, concerned. You seemed quiet, not yourself in the OR today." Robert was saying a silent prayer that she wouldn't bring up dinner last night.

She was quiet. Robert could tell she was mulling over the question, to answer or not answer, what to say and how to say it. Very briefly a look of defeat passed across her face, her lower lip trembling. She looked down at her watch before looking back at Robert and Shirley.

"If you must know, its noon here which means its 6 in London. Right about now, my family is enjoying a cocktail hour before settling down to Christmas dinner. French 75's are being consumed and my father is probably setting up the camera for a family picture. At 7 everyone will sit down at the table and pull the crackers before tucking into the meal. Whereas I'm three, close to four thousand miles away removing a man's prostate. Its Christmas and –" Elizabeth's voice broke and momentarily Robert didn't know if she would be able to finish her sentence " I miss my family dreadfully. So there, that is what is wrong with me. " She turned away, looking anywhere but at the pair of them. "If you'll excuse me, I have patients to check on." And with that, she walked off.

Robert and Shirley had the sense to look ashamed. They knew it was her second Christmas away from London, but never before had she given any indication at how hard she took the separation. Robert resolved to give her space for the time being. Clearly, the holidays were a trying time for her and he had no desire to provoke her in this state.


That evening Robert sat in front of the fire absentmindedly stroking Gretel, who was using his knee as a pillow. He had been putting off the phone call long enough and it was time to man up. He needed to call his mother, a task normally not dreaded if it weren't for the fact that she was staying with his sister for Christmas. Gwen, his older sister by 3 years was far too clever for his liking, she would instantly know something was wrong. Pity he had to call her to speak to his mother. Robert took a sip of his wine, a little liquid courage wouldn't go amiss and dialed his sister. She answered on the first ring.

"Baby brother! Is that you?"

"Waiting anxiously by the phone I see. Tell me, how many people have you said that to today in hopes it was me?" That got a laugh out of her.

"Four, and two of them were trying to sell me something, hold on a minute." She was being pestered by people at her house. "Yes, Mama its Rob." She had been ambushed.

"Merry Christmas Robert." His mother had taken the phone from Gwen and he could hear his sister complain in the background.

"Merry Christmas. Are you having a good time in New York?"

"I am, but it would be better if you were here. Maybe next year you can host Christmas in that big house of yours." A double-sided remark, trying to slyly find out if he was seeing someone. Someone who could play hostess at Christmas. Robert knew better than to fall for that line of questioning.

"You're all welcome anytime, I'd love to have you over." That earned him a hmpf. His mother knew not to directly ask about his love life though and normally left Gwen to the task. Robert could hear Gwen pestering their mother in the background, "Ask him about last night." Having no desire to have this conversation with either of them, he offered up half the truth.

"I got paged to the OR last night. A patient that I performed a gastroplasty on decided not to follow the post-op rules and busted all of his staples. Needless to say, I got the page and had to deal with it. The man gorged himself on a full Christmas dinner in a storage room in the ER."

"GROSS Uncle Rob!" Anna, his niece had picked up another phone somewhere in the house and was listening in. That or his mother had put the phone on speaker. His money was on Anna listening secretly, she was a teenager after all.

"Anna, get off the phone! Your uncle won't spill his guts if you're listening."

"What a charming picture you paint Mom. I just wanted to ask about his hot date since you weren't getting around to it" Great. The sister was now using the niece to get to him.

"Anna, I don't know what your mother was telling you, but there was no hot date."

"Well duh Uncle Rob, you were in the OR. But you were supposed to have a hot date, that's what Mom said." Brother and sister groaned at the same time, but for very different reasons. And now their mother was laughing in the background.

"Robert, I'm leaving you to the mercy of your sister. It was good to hear from you, and I hope she was willing to reschedule." Gwen and Anna were the ones laughing now as his mother got off the phone before he could respond. Three against one was never good odds when it came to the women in his family.

"Well ladies, I think I've been ganged up on enough for tonight. It was wonderful as always to be harassed by the lot of you. Gwen, tell David I said hello and that if he needs a break from the three of you he is always welcome here. "

"Very funny baby brother. Did Lizzy get paged as well?"

"Gwen." He let out a heavy sigh. " Please don't. Needless to say last night was not what I had hoped and my complete lack of social skills around this woman did not help either. So please, just drop it. Think of it as a Christmas present. " Robert waited for her response, she was quiet, an unusual thing for anyone in their family.

"Ok." Gwen's response was so soft he almost didn't hear it. "I won't pick at you for now. Come Valentine's day you're fair game again though or I'll drag the full story out of you." He laughed at her antics. They were always picking on each other.

"Goodnight Gwen." Robert hung up on his sister and looked down at Gretel.

"Well girl, it's just you and me again."

Robert finished his wine before heading up to bed, worried about what his dreams would have in store for him, and determined to give Elizabeth Corday all the space possible.