Chapter 19 – Divorce Makes Strange Bedfellows

It was painfully familiar, although it had been a long time since Grace had felt so betrayed and alone. Arguably not the smartest course of action, but feeling as though she had nothing left to lose, Grace poured herself the first of several large drinks and continued on until she was finally interrupted by a knock at the door. With 'Death on Two Legs' by Queen blaring loudly in the background, she could barely hear it. She swayed over to answer the door and had to steady herself as she pulled on the handle.

"Rocket Romano!" She called out as she saw him standing in front of her.

"You're drunk, Grace."

"You finally got it right, this time! I'd have to say I'm definitely on my way to enjoying a really good buzz. But they say it's dangerous to drink alone, so I guess I should offer you one?"

"I think you've had enough for both of us." He softened a little. He helped her sit down on the couch and turned down the music. "You shut your phone off, Grace."

"You mean incompetent nurse, don't you?"

"Now, now, Gracie, vodka doesn't become you."

"You humiliated me, Robert. ME! Not Malucci or one of the interns, for Christ sakes, ME! I thought I meant something to you. I thought…"

"Grace, just hear me out, please." He said, trying to hold her as she pulled away.

"Please what? I trusted you. I've been completely vulnerable with you in every imaginable way and you just ripped me to shreds today, Robert."

"I admit it was not my finest hour. It was a long day and I didn't…"

"You didn't what? Didn't mean to do what you always do and tear someone apart to make yourself feel better? We all try to save lives in there, Robert. We are all on the same side or don't you get that?"

"Yes, I do."

"You're spiteful and mean. And not just by accident, Robert. You're mean, just for the sake of it. I've seen that in you before, but I never thought you'd do it to me, especially in front of the ER staff. You need to go. I need you to leave, now. And here, take the bracelet."

"You're not thinking straight, Gracie."

"No. No more, 'Gracie'. I'm just an inept nurse that you won't have to work with ever again."

"What the hell are you babbling on about?"

"I told Weaver I quit, and to add insult to injury, she didn't even fight me on it. In light of the 'situation' she told me the cause of death would be attributed to the patient's extensive injuries and they would leave it at that, without further incident. So you see, problem solved." She sniped.

"Well, that was probably the dumbest thing you've ever done."

"No, it wasn't. It was believing in us." She said, as she pushed him out into the hallway and closed the door. She leaned against the back of the door for support and slowly slumped down until she was sitting on the floor of her apartment. As she quietly sobbed, she was suddenly startled a few minutes later by another knock at the door.

As she stood to answer it, she barked out, "Did you forget something, Romano? Another sarcastic word of wisdom for the newly unemployed?" but was surprised to find it was Steven standing before her.

"I heard about what happened today, Grace. I was worried about you and I wanted to make sure you were okay." He stared at her, and with tears streaming down her face, he immediately took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.

As they went inside her apartment, an inebriated Grace told her ex all the gory details of what had happened to land her in such a state.

"I knew he was a son of a bitch, Grace! I spent the afternoon with you and I know you weren't drunk, not even close. If it will help you, I can certainly attest to that."

"I don't even know how all this happened. In the blink of an eye my whole life just blew up in my face. The hardest part is trying to understand what made him go off on me the way he did. He's never been like that, with me." She added quietly.

"You have to fight this! You can't just give up and let them win."

"What choice do I have? Connor's surgery is the day after tomorrow. Weaver agreed that if I go quietly, they can whitewash this if the press gets wind of my leaving. I can't risk the hospital or the Nelsons having to deal with a scandal."

"It's still not right. Let me talk to him. I'm not intimidated by his holier than thou attitude."

"No, Steven. Please don't. It's the last thing I want."

"If that's true, then come back with me to Detroit. We can have another chance together. Remember how great we used to be? Besides, there'll be nothing left here for you now."

Grace took a large sip of her vodka and tonic, closed her eyes and thought for a moment. She couldn't go back. It would be an even bigger fiasco than what she was facing here. She wasn't the same woman who'd left Detroit to start a new life after a difficult divorce, and she was still sober enough to realize it was not the time to be making a decision like this anyway. As they talked, the night became morning until they woke up on the couch together.

"Oh, God." She uttered. "Now I remember why I don't do this anymore." She winced, as her head throbbed and a wave of nausea took over.

"Your couch is definitely not meant for sleeping." He said rubbing his sore back. "Do you want some coffee? I'll make a pot if you show me where you keep everything." Steven offered.

"No, I don't think I could keep it down. I'm such an idiot. If I'd had half a mind I would have at least brought home a banana bag with me." She laughed a little as she tried to make light of the facet that her life felt like a complete disaster.

"I could run by County and pick one up for you."

"I'm kidding. It's probably only right that I atone for my sins anyway. It'll keep me from making this mistake again. Listen, Steven thanks for coming over, but I need to take a shower and get my head together, so…"

"You're kicking me out?"

"Yeah, I am. I just need to sort things out, but I do appreciate the company. Who would've thought that you of all people would be there for me in my hour of need?"

"I'm glad you felt you could confide in me, Grace. Makes me feel a little less guilty that I wasn't there for you before, when I should've been. But you're right, I need to get going. I have to stop by the hospital anyway."

"Good luck with the big day. I'm sure it'll be a great success."

As they said their goodbyes in the hall, Steven hugged Grace. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Thanks again for last night."

Unbeknownst to them, Romano had been on his way to see Grace, hoping that in the light of day, he could somehow apologize for hurting her. As he watched them from down the hall, he assumed they had spent the night together and his fears only seemed to be confirmed as he watched Grace cling tightly to Mancini before he kissed her cheek and walked away.