Author's note: I hope this isn't becoming a frustrating read. I have big plans for the next few chapters, so if you can be patient, all will be revealed. Thanks to all those who have taken time to review so far!

Chapter 6 – Surgery is like…

Later that week, Grace was called in for a couple of extra shifts on the surgical floor. She had started her career as an OR nurse before moving to Chicago, so they called her in from time to time whenever she was interested in making some extra cash. With Christmas on the way, she was eager to oblige. She was told she would be assisting Dr. Edson, but when she arrived, she found out she had been re-assigned to Dr. Romano.

As she entered the scrub room, she noticed he was already there. "Well, Grace. I knew you wouldn't pass up an opportunity to spend the entire day with me." He said, looking very satisfied with himself.

"You know I was originally scheduled to work with Dale. I wouldn't be surprised if you orchestrated this whole thing." She said indignantly, as she began to scrub in.

"Methinks thou doth protest too much, Grace. You know surgery is like sex. Messy, fun and if done right can be quite satisfying."

After she finished scrubbing in, she felt a bit uneasy as she entered the OR. It had been a long time since she'd assisted in surgery, which only added to her anxiety about working all day with Romano. To her relief, he was pretty much all business inside the OR, although he did seem to ensure he was standing in close proximity to her all day long. She could feel the sexual tension, although she tried to ignore it. Somehow it seemed that each time she was aware of it, he would glance in her direction.

Just when the procedure was nearing an end and she began to breathe an inner sigh of relief, Romano found a way to shine the spotlight on her.

"Something or someone smells incredible in this OR today. Janet, are you wearing a new perfume?"

"No, Dr. Romano."

"Shirley, is it you?"

"No, not me either." She giggled, looking at Grace.

Grace knew her turn was coming. He took great pleasure in singling her out.

"Well then Perry, it must be you." They laughed, as Perry the anesthesiologist looked on shaking his head.

She screwed up the courage and tried to not let him get to her. "It's me, Dr. Romano."

"Well, well. Nurse Hanson. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to seduce me. What's the name of this captivating fragrance you're wearing?"

Grace stammered, feeling flustered. "I'm…I'm not sure."

"You're not sure?"

"It's from Revlon, I think."

"You think or you know?"

God he could be so annoying. "It's called Fire and Ice."

Grinning under his mask, he had once again won the game.

"Hmm, hot and cold. Sounds about right."

Grace rolled her eyes and said nothing, choosing to think things that would only get her in trouble if she spoke them aloud. Luckily for her, he couldn't read her mind.

After they'd finished, she took a shower before heading out. She was going to meet a few of the ER nurses over at Doc Magoo's. As she opened the door to the hall, she was not expecting to see Romano waiting outside and it startled her.

"God, you scared me! What are you doing lurking around the women's locker room?"

"I wanted to catch you before you left. All showered and squeaky clean?" Somehow the way he said it made it sound dirty.

"I take it there's a particular reason you're trying to irritate me? Make it quick, I have plans." She was still ticked off that he'd put her on the spot in the OR.

"I'm sensing a hostile tone in your voice, Grace."

"Well since you're so perceptive, why don't you tell me what I'm more like at the moment, fire or ice?"

He grinned, self-satisfied. "Each one, volatile in its own right."

"You can be such a bastard, you know that?"

"Well I was going to tell you that I was very impressed with your work today. I wondered if you might be interested in working up here permanently? Just say the word and I can make it happen."

"No thanks, I prefer the ER. I'm only doing this for some extra Christmas money."

"Too bad. Well, just let me know anytime you want to pimp yourself out to us, we'd be happy to have you."

"See? That's exactly what I mean. If you weren't so irritating and infuriating to work with…"

"You sound frustrated, Grace. Maybe you just need to release all the tension that's pent up inside you?" He stared at her, longingly.

It was taking every ounce of self restraint not to strangle him right then and there. "If I change my mind about working in the OR, you'll be the first to know." She said. "By the way, seeing as you're the one responsible for the ER schedule at the moment, I'd like to know when you're going to stop punishing me and put me back on regular shifts."

"In the ER? There's no such thing. Why would I be punishing you?"

"You know why. Until recently I actually had a life, but since a certain nurse said something to a certain Chief of Staff, I've been getting the most obscene shifts imaginable."

"Well, that is unfortunate. Perhaps another reason you should consider my offer to work up here exclusively?"

Deciding to take the game to the next level, Grace tried a different approach. Maybe the best defense was a good offense. She moved in close to him, and softened her stare.

"Now that you mention it, it has been a while since I've allowed myself the pleasure of a satisfying release." She reached over and traced his jaw line with her finger and leaned in close, as though she was about to kiss him. She then turned her head at the last minute to whisper in his ear. "Not a chance." She knew she had turned him completely inside out and as she walked away down the hall, she smiled knowing she had finally won a round with Romano.