The next two weeks seemed to fly by. Between Robert's work and Melora's shows, they grabbed onto the time they could spend together. He came to more of her shows than he needed to, but he loved seeing her shine and enjoyed seeing the envious looks he got when he was with her. If only those guys knew how much I went through before getting to this point, he'd think to himself as he basked in it.

Melora didn't know exactly what to do with herself, though. Robert was, by far, the most uncomplicated and responsible man she'd ever been with. Not to mention, in her estimation, the only one who didn't behave like a spoiled toddler half the time. At first, she'd thought maybe he just liked her for her strangeness, her difference from the norm. Perhaps he'd quickly tire of the novelty and disappear. But no – he still called her regularly, still came by the flat when he could or when he had to work early and wanted to crash at her place. And she spent two more weekends at his place, returning to the city for a show or for practice easily, now that her old VW was out of the shop and her ankle improved enough to drive herself.

Around this point, Melora had noticed that while Robert had no qualms about joining Mel in her world – her music scene, her solo gig at the Country Club, her flat and once even a close friend's party – he hadn't really invited her into much of his world. There were no invitations to meet him for lunch at or near the hospital, and she'd not met a single co-worker outside of that first night's visit to the ER. He did take her out to a banquet that he had to attend at some surgical symposium, but nobody there was anyone from his workplace. She almost thought he was embarrassed of her, but that didn't make a lot of sense. She only "dressed up" for shows, although now that she thought about it, she was a little on the alternative side. Did he not want people at work to know about her?

She tried not to let it bother her; they were getting along shockingly well. Despite the difference in their backgrounds, their personalities, interests and core values meshed perfectly. It occurred to her that perhaps she was just a little too used to things going south in her life just when they seemed to be going well. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that she'd created a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. So she decided to just keep moving forward and see what happened.

She was a little discouraged by the number of times he'd get paged away, despite having been warned about it. Some nights were peaceful, other nights were full of angry phone calls with surgical assistants or other doctors, and occasionally he would end up having to go in and operate, in extreme cases. Still, she understood, and wasn't about to try and make him feel worse than he already did about having to run off or make a phone call.

This was all new for Robert. He'd dated plenty of women, pined after plenty of women, and had his share of relationships bound for Nowhere. He'd spent the last two years pining over Elizabeth Corday before finally deciding she really meant it and giving up on her. And like a gift, Melora appeared, literally out of nowhere. He liked her easy, self-assured nature. She wasn't interested in drama or making things difficult. And because she gave him space and didn't quiz him on his whereabouts constantly, he liked to do the same for her. So he honestly didn't know how to approach the unfortunate fact that Valentine's Day was approaching only three weeks into this relationship.

It was a weeknight when he finally broached the topic; he'd worked late and come to Melora's flat to crash for the night. She was working on the last of a bit of ice cream and watching Conan O'Brien as he settled in on the sofa next to her, loosening up his collar as he did so. "Wow. Is it that late?"

"Yup," Melora replied. "Did you have dinner yet?"

He took on a thoughtful pose. "Does microwave popcorn and a granola bar count?"

"As a meal? No," she grinned.

"It's too late. I'll have something for breakfast."

"Real or imaginary?" prompted Mel.

"I'll aim for real. I've started keeping instant oatmeal packets in my desk since we've started going out," he confided. "I have to admit, there's benefits to having access to an apartment near work."

She teased, "And here I thought it was my charm and good looks that had won you over."

He laughed. "If you only knew how correct that was." He paused before adding casually, "I suppose you're expecting to be taken out Monday night?"

She set down the empty ice cream container, a confused look on her face. "Monday? What's Monday?"

Robert gave her a sideways glance that said he didn't believe her. "Really? 'What's Monday?'"

She thought hard, wondering what she was missing. It was too soon to have an anniversary. Her birthday was coming up, but he couldn't know that. "It's not your birth- ohhhh! You mean Valentine's Day?" Melora wrinkled her nose at him, as if he'd just accused her of something awful. He nodded, realizing his error, and she sighed, "Do I seem like the kind of girl who collects hearts and stuffed bears in the name of love, Robert?"

He had to laugh at that, and added with wry smile, "Not in the least, and that is just one of the reasons why I find you so appealing, Mel. No, really – humor me. Let me take you out and spoil you like the awesome boyfriend you've never had."

She grinned back at him. He was right – when had anyone in her life ever spoiled her? "Jesus, do I say it that often?"

"Miss Bad Boyfriends herself? Hey, I don't mind. They make me look like Prince Goddamn Charming. I can use all the help I can get. What do you say? A romantic evening, fancy dinner, excellent wine... Maybe I can even score the next day off in advance. You're off Tuesdays, right?"

Melora nodded, pretending she needed to consider it. "Hmmm, a long weekend?"

"I have to go in Monday early but that's for surgery and a meeting. Done by 2, latest. No surgeries slated for at least a week, just staff bullshit. I need to get caught up on paperwork."

"So a weekend, then a Monday, then fun times?"

"Exactly. You in, Ms. Weir?" He slipped an arm around her shoulders and she snuggled closer to him on the sofa.

"Ohhhh, if I have to," she smiled up at him, kissing him once lightly. "I can't deprive you of the opportunity to best your predecessors, can I?"

"That's the spirit," he replied, kissing her back. He almost let it slip out then – he wanted to say, I love you, Mel, but he didn't know if it was too soon to go throwing that one around. After all, that was a bell that could not be un-rung. And maybe it would be better to save it for Valentine's Day. "So I guess I can cancel that giant teddy bear, then?"

Mel playfully smacked him with a throw pillow. "No heart-shaped boxes of candy, flowers, or teddy bears – giant or otherwise – will be accepted. I'm not one for obligatory sentiment, and I know you aren't either. It's one of the reasons I like you so much."

If he didn't already love her, that statement would have done it for sure. "You're kind of my dream girl that way, Mel."

"Any other ways?" she asked, giving him a promising look.

"Oh, so many," he replied, losing himself in her kiss.

88888***8888

Their Valentine's Day date started off beautifully. As directed, Robert brought no neither flowers, hearts, chocolates or teddy bears. He did have a pair of earrings he'd bought for her couched in a velvet box back at his house, but he planned on giving her those later. From Melora's, he whisked her away to a small but exclusive restaurant with a view of the Chicago River. "What's this place called?" she whispered across the table to him, feeling almost as if she shouldn't even be there. "There was no sign outside."

"They don't advertise. Don't have to," Robert told her, taking pride in the fact that he could get them such a nice table on a few days' notice.

Since he was driving, he kept the wine to one and a half glasses at dinner. Melora, however, claimed that she hated wasting a perfectly good bottle of wine and did her best to pick up his slack. Still, she proved that she had a strong constitution, as he couldn't really tell if she was feeling it or not. She was a little more flirty than usual, which didn't prove much besides the fact that it was time to wrap this dinner thing up.

By 9:15 dinner was done with and they were pulling on their coats when Robert's pager went off. "Damn," he remarked, taking it out to see what the trouble was.

Melora sighed heavily, adding, "At least we got all the way through dinner."

Robert's face was utterly still as he read the text. It was just enough information for him to fish his cell phone out of his overcoat and hold up a hand to Melora, silencing her abruptly. She knew it must be serious; he was never short with her. She looked at him with concern as they stood there in the restaurant's narrow entryway, Robert dialing a familiar number and thrusting the valet ticket at her, saying, "Tell them to step on it. It's an emergency."

Melora nodded, not asking questions as he clearly didn't have time to waste on explanations. She stepped out and conveyed the message to the valet, chipping in her own $20 as a tip so he would be extra quick about it.

Within a minute, Robert was joining her outside, calling out, "That car had better be on its way!" towards the valet station.

Melora hadn't seen him look like this before – it was a mixture of fear, consternation and utter urgency. He would not stand still, and paced until the valet returned with his car about thirty seconds later. "Should I get a cab home?" she asked timidly as he hopped into the driver's seat.

"Get in," was his response.

She remembered the Robert she'd seen that first night in the ER, and recognized him again, now. "What is it?" she ventured.

"Lucy and Carter were attacked by some fucking lunatic. With a knife. In the ER." He was speaking in that truncated language of the ER. "They're being stabilized for surgery. All hands on deck." He was maneuvering the sports car quickly back towards the hospital. "There's no time for me to take you home. But it's close – you can get a cab and I'll come to your place when I'm done." His voice had softened then, and the Robert she knew was back for the time being.

Melora nodded; she knew he liked Lucy best of the ER staff, and this was going to be a tough night. She'd only met Lucy and Carter the one time, but it was so surreal to think that they now were in grave danger. "Call before you come over so I can let you in?"

"Sure," he replied without hesitation, pulling up briefly in front of the hospital; it would be easier to catch a cab there. "Need money for a cab?"

She shook her head, no, and got out. "Good luck." Just for a second, she caught a look on his face that she'd never seen before. Was it dread? But then he was looking back at the road and driving away.

Melora caught a taxi fairly easily, although she found herself wishing she hadn't tipped the valet an entire $20 because it really would have come in handy to pay the cabbie. As it was, she had just enough to pay the man.

She never knew how long Robert's surgeries were going to last. Sometimes they were practically over before they started, while others went on for hours and hours. Considering the circumstances, she doubted he'd be here before midnight, so she simply changed into her pajamas and collapsed onto the sofa, falling asleep with the TV on.

Around 11, she woke up to the sound of the news on the TV. "Breaking News: A brutal attack at Cook County General Hospital leaves two medical professionals fighting for their lives." Melora forced herself to wake up and pay attention, not sure what time it was. She paid attention long enough to garner some basic facts – that a patient who'd come into the ER with a migraine ended up exhibiting signs of having neurological issues, but it was later determined he'd actually suffered a psychotic break and stabbed Lucy Knight and John Carter. According to the news reports, both were still in surgery, but the suspect was in custody. Melora caught sight of some of the ER staff fending off reporters before police stepped in and ushered the cameras outside.

If the wine and stress had made her drowsy, now she was wide awake. She realized that Serena and Ana were still out at their party, and for the first time ever, she was worried for them. It was as if it had never occurred to her before that horrible things could happen to anyone at any time. She, of all people, should definitely know that! She'd lost two of her immediate family in a car wreck, after all. People could snap and try to kill you for no real reason. The universe, it seemed, was chaos.

Knowing that sleep was out of the question now, she made a cup of tea and turned on an old movie, but it was hopeless. She couldn't relax or distract herself. She kept staring at the phone, willing it to ring.

Around midnight, Serena and Ana came home, surprised to find Melora there and alone. She filled them in, relieved to see they were home safe and to have others to talk to about it. Ana stayed up with Melora, a look of concern on her face. She pulled a big afghan blanket off the back of the sofa and draped it over them both, patting her friend on the arm and calling her a pet name, "Myshka."

The phone finally rang at 1 a.m. and Melora realized she must have dozed off, because Ana had gone to bed and the TV was turned down low. She snatched up the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi, Mel." It was Robert. "We're wrapping things up here for now. Seems like Lucy's stable, but I'm gonna stick around and make sure it's under control."

Melora sighed with relief. "Oh, thank God. What about Carter?"

"He's out of surgery and in ICU for now. If everything goes okay, I should be there in an hour or so. Okay?"

"Sure. Just call me from your cell when you get here. Don't ring the bell. Okay?"

"Okay. See you soon." Melora felt relief wash over her, and happily dozed off again.

She woke up at nearly four-thirty a.m. – no Robert. No phone call. Shit. Something bad happened, she just knew it. She called his home number on the off chance that he went straight there, but got the machine. She called his office number, but got shuttled immediately into voicemail. Shitshitshit, she thought, pulling on her slippers and debating whether she should get dressed and just drive the Bug to the hospital and see for herself what was going on.

Then she heard it – a faint knocking at the door.

Well, it was super late. He probably didn't want to wake the whole flat up. Melora went down the long staircase and saw through the peephole that it was Robert. She opened the door and knew immediately that something had gone horribly wrong. "Come in," she said, pulling him inside and locking the door behind him, as if to lock the bad news outside behind him.

They just stood there, inside the front door at the bottom of the stairs. Mel knew. He looked defeated, lost. "Oh, Robert." Her heart went out to him, and she wrapped him in her embrace. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

He inhaled deeply then, as if catching his breath or maybe just trying to replace the smell of the OR with that of this place and this woman that only he was privy to. It was almost like he was grounding himself. "We lost her," he said quietly. "We lost her."