Chapter 3 – Game On

It had been a relatively slow Tuesday until the paramedics brought in a middle-aged man with a GSW. Grace had been the primary nurse on shift and was working with Dr. Malucci on the patient. Malucci was struggling and Grace insisted he call for an attending, but he refused, saying he had things under control. Clearly he did not, so Grace told Lily to continue bagging the patient while she ran down the hall looking for another doctor. The flu had swept through the ER staff and left them with a skeleton crew.

The first one she saw was Romano and she literally grabbed him, dragging him with her. "Dr. Romano! Come quickly. Trauma one!"

He quickly took over and although it was touch and go, he had been able to stabilize the patient. As they wheeled the patient up to the OR, Dr. Romano commented on how her quick action helped to save the patient's life. "Great work, Hanson. Nice to see not all the nurses around here aren't afraid to question a resident."

"I'm sure Dr. Malucci was doing his best, but…"

"You helped to save this man's life, Grace. Don't sell yourself short." As he walked away, Grace couldn't help wonder if he was indeed downstairs strictly to spend more time with her. Ridiculous, she told herself. Romano was too self indulgent to even think about another person, let alone a woman, to this extent.

As the end of her shift finally neared, Grace went into the lounge, to get one last pick me up cup of coffee. With her back turned to the door, she rolled her neck and arched her back to try to relief some of the stress of the day.

"Long day, Grace?" His voice, barking and loud surprised her, and she whipped around, hurting her neck further in the process.

"Ow! Yeah. Everyone's sick with the flu these days."

"Just a typical winter in Chicago. Happens every year."

"I know. It's as dependable as death and taxes."

"And ER staff calling in sick."

"Dr. Romano…"

"What is it, Grace?"

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry. You know, for that comment I made the other day."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Now she felt extremely uncomfortable and very anxious. If he indeed had forgotten about it, she now would have to remind him.

"When I joked with Carter, about you being raised by wolves." She said nervously.

He smiled, "Oh yes. How juvenile. Thank you so much for reminding me." He said, standing very close to her. He had a habit of getting in everyone's personal space, to try to intimidate them and it was a method that served him well. At 5'3" Grace was one of the few people Romano could actually stare down at.

"I know, and I'm so sorry, really. It was a long shift and I was tired, but I know that's no excuse."

"But…"

"But I had no right to say it and I want you to know, I am sincerely sorry." Romano just stared back at her. "Okay?" She added, expecting some sort of response.

"Miss Hanson, you seem to be under some misguided impression that I give two hoots about something a subordinate would say to me. I can assure you that anything someone in your position has ever said to me, is the very last thing I would ever think twice about."

"Really? Well thanks for sharing." She said, turning to leave and grabbing her coat. "Well since that's the case, Dr. Romano," she said, emphasizing his name, "then please feel free to go fuck yourself!" she said as she slammed the door behind her and stormed out of the ER.

As the cold air hit her, she was struck with the realization of what she had said and immediately chastised herself for saying it. What was I thinking? He is still the Chief of Staff, after all, even if he is a little toad. Good God, this was surely career suicide!

She made her way to the EL, still beating herself up, wishing she could go back in time and take back what she had to Romano. I'm a complete idiot, she thought. I'm totally fired for sure. Why did she let him get to her like that?

She turned around and walked a couple of blocks back with the thought of apologizing, but chickened out and changed direction again, going back towards the EL. As she struggled with her inner turmoil, she could hear a car honking its horn, but ignored it, as she was used to tuning out the sounds of the city. Insistent, the horn continued and she turned around to see what the commotion was about. A window opened and to her embarrassment, there was Dr. Romano in his seat-warming Jaguar.

"Still slumming, Grace?"

"Still pompous and pretentious, Dr. Romano?" Good lord. Had she really said that out loud? Too tired to care, apparently she had.

"Just me being me. I don't suppose you'd like a ride home from someone who was raised by wolves?" She closed her eyes as her comment came back to bite her in the ass. Why was life so cruel to her today?

Standing beside his car, she bent down to speak to him through the window. "I think we both know the answer to that, but on the off chance I haven't completely destroyed my professional career, I think I'd better take the EL."

"Don't be ridiculous. Get in!" He barked.

Being a loose cannon, she didn't know half the time if he was serious, sarcastic or just downright sadistic. She decided it best to shut up and get in.

"I don't suppose there's anything I can say..."

"Maybe I overestimated your skills in the ER, Grace? Maybe the stress of working here is too much for you? Not everyone's cut out for Emergency Medicine." He said sarcastically.

"No, I'm fine with the pace of the ER. We were short 3 nurses, one or was it two docs, and an orderly, thank you very much. I've been vomited on, bitten and haven't eaten in 16 hours, not to mention staying 2 hours past the end of my shift. Does that sound like someone who isn't dedicated to the job?"

"Maybe it's hormones?"

"Oh, you're such a man."

"See, you really do think I was raised by wolves."

"Only sometimes." She conceded, smiling slightly. "So why do they call you 'Rocket' Romano anyway?"

He stared at her for a moment. "Isn't it obvious? They say I can go off at any moment. And because I'm the fastest surgeon at County, maybe even the entire Midwest." He said arrogantly.

She chuckled for a moment. "So it's because you have a tendency to go off prematurely…and finish quickly?"

Damn she was quick, he thought. He shook his head in disbelief, "Are you always this appreciative to someone who saves you from the perils of frostbite?"

"No. I guess you just bring out the best in me." She said sarcastically. "I really do appreciate the ride."

Romano, not having had a relationship, let alone sex in a very long while, was enjoying the banter with Grace. He liked a woman who could give as good as he could, and was disappointed when the short ride to her place meant an end to their conversation.

"Well, thanks again. And I am sorry."

"I really don't think you mean that."

"Right again, Romano." She grinned as she shut the car door.