Here it is: Batter Up: Chapter 5. There are subtle clues, I believe, as to who the narrator and her companion are.... Watch for them! Hehe....
And... you should review!
Natalie
------------------------------------------------------------------
"So, let's hope this guy shows up this time, huh?" Romano asked, silently answering his own question with a solid 'no.'
Elizabeth thought 'no', but answered positively "Yes, indeed."
She lifted her menu, gazing at the many choices that filled the paper. Romano read her mind when he said "This guy must have a thing for Italian."
"Hm, I was just thinking the same thing." She said, briefly looking at him before considering her menu yet again.
She wasn't sure what she should have, she'd had fettuccini the night before, and she was in the mood for something different. Perhaps, spaghetti? But she quickly dismissed that idea when she realized that it would probably get all over her face. She decided on Ravioli.
As she set her menu down, she realized what she'd done, and a small blush crept over her face. She'd just admonished herself from getting spaghetti because it might get all over her face; this was something she only did on dates.
Robert noticed the blush, and couldn't ignore it "Is everything all right?" he asked with a small smile.
"Uh, yes, everything's fine." She assured, casting her gaze downward. Damn her fair complexion.
"Good." He said as he, too, considered his menu. "I think I'll get the ravioli" he voiced.
She smiled, "That's what I'm getting."
"Uh huh." He said playfully.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Oh, you have my pardon." He teased, before continuing "You're only getting ravioli because I am."
She blushed slightly despite the fact that this wasn't the truth. "I am not." She said decisively "I'm getting ravioli because it's what I want."
He smiled "Yes, because I want it."
"Oh, you are impossible."
"Here we go again."
"What?"
"My, my, have you forgotten so soon?"
She simply stared at him in return.
"Last night. I'm impossible; you like a challenge."
"Oh right, right. I'm sorry Robert, but I usually don't find it necessary to document in my memory every word we say to one another." She could barely hide her smile.
"Ouch, Lizzie, that one stung a little."
"Oh please, you're nearly impervious."
"Nearly?" he questioned.
"I'm sure there's something that could break through your ego-shield, though I've yet to find what it is."
"Well, good luck with that." He smiled; he knew what it was. "And, the same could easily be said for you as well, by the way."
She looked slightly confused, "What do you mean?"
"Oh, you know what I mean" he said.
"No, I'm afraid I don't." She confirmed, smiling.
"Well, Lizzie, you are often seen as impervious as well..." he cleared his throat "and I'm sure there is something out there that could penetrate your..." he trailed off "Imperviousness." He finished.
This time, Elizabeth's blush was not subtle, it was full fledged and red. She was searching for a reply, but found none. Thankfully, the waiter saved her from being dumbfounded for too long, by asking to take their orders.
They both ordered ravioli, and Robert looked at her, while asking if she cared for any wine.
After his last comment, she didn't just care for it, she needed it. "Sure, I suppose I could do with some wine."
The waiter took the wine down and returned shortly, filling their glasses before setting the bottle down.
Robert smiled inwardly at having made Elizabeth blush so ferociously with his blatant innuendo, it was wonderful to see her so unguarded. She hadn't known what to say, he knew that. And it was rare to find her at a loss for words.
He looked at her as she sipped her wine "So I guess we're not waiting for Dr. O'Grady?"
She laughed "No, I suppose not."
"What a shame."
"Oh, such a shame" she said while rolling her eyes.
"Hey, you never know, he could be a fine specimen."
She smiled a little "Yes, but threesomes really haven't done it for me."
It was his turn to look astonished... was this flirting? Or was it simply making up for what he had done to her before? He wasn't sure, but whatever the reason, he was thankful for it.
---------------------------------------------------------------
We watched them for some time, it seemed as though they were making small talk; and so were we.
But then: It got interesting. She blushed. Not once, not twice, but three times, the third being the worst of all. Her face turned a deep red, and I'm sure at that moment she utterly despised her fair complexion. He'd obviously thrown either a blatant innuendo her way, or flattered her with a compliment. Women, we just don't blush like that if it's not one of those two things.
Knowing Romano in the slightest, it was an innuendo.
I looked at my companion, whom, I'm sure, was thinking the same thing: "Innuendo?" I questioned.
"Oh, of course. Romano wouldn't have it any other way."
I took a sip of my water "Ha, isn't that the truth."
The waiter came, and took our orders, yes, this time, I was allowed to eat. He asked us if we'd like a bottle of wine, but I refused quickly.
Wine was not what either of us needed.
"So..." he started, unsure of what to say.
"So..." I mimicked.
He laughed "So, are you proud to have orchestrated all of this..." he gestured with his hand "By your lonesome?"
"Oh, of course I am. But, to be fair, nothing's really happened yet."
He smiled again "Right. You've just thrown the pitch."
"Oh shut up." I admonished lightly. "You're just jealous because you didn't think of it first."
"Ha! Me? Jealous?" He asked, faking incredulity.
"Yes, you! Jealous!"
He laughed "Never!" and then: "Okay, maybe a little." He stated playfully.
I smiled at him. "I knew it."
"But..." he began "Why'd you do it?"
"Why not?"
"I don't know, it doesn't really seem like you. You're more...cynical."
I laughed, that much was true. "I don't know. It's just something I felt like I had to do... since Cupid's been ignoring their chemistry and all."
"Hm, I guess I buy that. Considering the fact that I know you don't have the largest bet in the Hospital pool."
"Oh, really?" I inquire.
"Yes, Really. You, my dear, are going to make me a very, very rich man."
"Oh, right, because you need more money."
"Not the point."
"Hmm, then what is the point?"
"I'm going to win. I like to win."
"Yeah, so I've noticed."
"Hasn't everyone?"
"Yes, I believe so."
A silence fell over the table, as I realized I was enjoying his company. But, then again, I always had. Since the first time I met him. I thought he was smart, gorgeous, funny, and kind. And I'd always, always enjoyed his company.
"This is nice." He said, breaking me away from my thoughts.
"Yeah, I guess so." I said, pretending it didn't matter either way.
"Oh, come on; stop pretending you're not having fun."
He knew me so well. I just laughed in response.
"You nearly always have fun with me."
I consider this "Nearly would be the operative word there."
"Really, because see, I saw 'fun' as being the operative word in that sentence."
I smiled "Ah, we've always had our differences."
"But we've always had our commonalities as well."
It was true. We'd always been two very different people, only united by the basic human qualities that made us who we are. It had been what I had....
Never mind. We won't go there. It's not fair to travel down roads of the past. Not now.
My mission was elsewhere.
"That, we have. Now shhh... and let me watch my game."
He laughed "Okay, okay."
So there we sat, joined by this plot, watching Elizabeth Corday and Robert Romano laugh, something neither did very often.
And there I sat, feeling something I hadn't felt in a very long time: Hope. I felt a great hope for Robert and Elizabeth, and I felt a slight, albeit wonderful hope for myself and my companion.
Yeah, I know, I'm getting sort of deep here, but that's allowable once in awhile, right? It's not something I do often, so savor it for what it's worth, okay? Anyway...
It was like on that episode of "Friends"—Elizabeth was Robert's Lobster, and he was hers.
Perhaps my companion was my Lobster.
------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued!!! ... IF YOU REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Review!!! ; )
Thanks!
Natalie