Disclaimer: This is the first story on my account! I don't own ER, or any of the characters in the story. I am trying to keep as true to the show timeline as possible, please forgive any errors (including typos ") This story takes place around Christmas time, I'm not sure if Roberts death is near Christmas or not. So, please review with any and all comments! Flames are not welcome, however, unless there's some truth behind the criticism. Enjoy!

"Mommy, read me a story!"

The childish squeals of Ella Greene made her mother, Elizabeth smile. It had been an extremely harsh day. The funeral for Robert Romano. The last goodbye for Elizabeth's rude, mean, insensitive, helicopter-unlucky friend. Elizabeth had lost two men important to her within very restricted time limits. But at least she still had Ella.

"What would you like tonight, Ella?"

The 3-year old girl held up her favourite book, Beauty and the Beast.

"Again? Alright. Lets see then," Elizabeth sat in the living room with Ella on her lap and the book in her hands.

"There once was a cold-hearted prince who was spoiled. He never learned what it was to do without. But one day, there was a knock on the door-" Elizabeth paused. She thought she heard someone outside the door. Wouldn't THAT be cliché?, she thought to herself. She shrugged it off and continued reading. "It was a poor, old woman. She handed the prince a rose in exchange for-"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Oh, so close." Elizabeth said as she got up to answer the door. She opened it slowly. Standing before her, still clad in hospital scrubs, was Dr. Robert Romano. Elizabeth shrieked and slammed the door shut.

"Ella, go to bed. We'll finish the story another time."

The little girl obediently slid of the chair and into her bedroom.

Calm down, Elizabeth. CALM DOWN. It's been a long, tiring, sad day. You just lost him.. Your bound to see him anywhere. You probably just shut the door on another short, bald man. In hospital scrubs.

"Lizzie, open up! It's cold out here!" came Roberts sharp voice from outside.

Or not!

Elizabeth opened the door a small bit and looked out. Robert looked straight into her eyes. Elizabeth tried to say something. But what do you say to a dead guy?

"You're dead," Elizabeth tried. Robert felt his chest.
"I am?"

"Y-you had a funeral. That helicopter finished you off. You're dead!"

"If you'd let me in, I'd explain."

Elizabeth opened the door a bit more. She'd never seen Robert like this. His teeth were chattering. He was empty handed. He….he really was quite short.

"Don't you have a house? Why'd you fake you're death? What is wrong with you? Why are you here? Don't tell me I'm dreaming! Didn't you use Rogaine? You're dead! You have to be!"

"Lizzie, you're rambling," Robert said. Elizabeth kept going. "Lizzie…Lizzie…"

"Why me? Why me? You had other friends, right? Kovac? Carter? Susan? Jerry?" Elizabeth cried desperately. "Oh my God. I must be hallucinating."

"Lizzie…" She kept going. "Lizzie…LIZZIE!!"

Elizabeth stopped.

"You died. How can you be standing there? YOU DIED!"

"I know. Bummer, huh?" Robert smirked. "Just when you thought you'd gotten rid of me. But would you let me in, I'm freezing my ass off!"

"No, no. You're dead. You died. I went to you're funeral. I cried for you. You cheated me! I loved you and you DIED!"

Robert stared at her. She cupped her hands over her mouth.

"As a friend! I loved you AS A FRIEND and you died!"

"I'm not dead! Let me in, I'm getting hypothermia! Scrubs aren't thick!"

"No. No. No no no . I'm closing the door. I'm imagining things. I'm very tired. I'm closing the door now. Goodbye."

She shut the door and sighed a breath of relief. That didn't happen. Robert was dead, and that didn't happen. But she shrieked in terror. There, between her door and the frame, was Robert's artificial hand. She opened the door.

"What do you want from me?"

"I want IN, Lizzie. It's -2 degrees, and I am in a t-shirt. A T-SHIRT!"

Elizabeth sighed.

"FINE!"

"THANKYOU! God, it was like a fridge out there."

Elizabeth shut the door.

"WHAT IS GOING ON?"

Robert took a deep breath.

"I faked my death. I was unhappy, Lizzie. Lets do role play. You are a one-armed man and every one at your workplace hates you. Yeah, I'm pretty sure you'd feel like getting smooshed by a helicopter, too! I wanted to get a new job, start again. But do you know how hard that is? Probably. So, I'd get a new job, somewhere else. In a different strand of medicine! Then, my house burned down, and I lost EVERYTHING. And that's pretty much why I'm here."

KNOCK KNOCK

"Oh, who is it now? Mark? Because I really need another dead guy at my door!"

An old woman was at the door. Elizabeth recognized as Mrs. Hearn, the old woman from across the street.

"Would you keep it down? My cats are trying to sleep, and so am I. Do you have any idea what time it is?"

Elizabeth checked her watch.

"9:15."

"That's right! We can hear you all the way across the street! Mr. Nibbles is trying to sleep off a sickness! Now you quiet down, or I'll call the cops!"

"Alright, Mrs. Hearn. Terribly sorry."

"Wait, Lizzie, are you going to let her boss you around like that?" Robert faced the woman. "Listen, lady. We'll keep it down, but would you close the blinds when you change? Do the neighbourhood a favour!"

The woman had an appalled look on her face when he closed the door.
"How did you know she changes in front of an open window?"

"I didn't."

Elizabeth was silent. She opened her mouth multiple times, but closed it.

"And, YES, I used Rogaine. It just didn't work."

"So…you have no where to go…"

"Basically. I mean, I could stay in a hotel for awhile, but after the first month they catch on that you're living there."

"….I was you're only friend?"

Robert was silent.

"Look, Lizzie. You know I wouldn't have come if it wasn't a dire emergency. I will pay you if I have to."

Elizabeth sighed.

"Let me see if I have any of Mark's old clothes. You can stay in the guest room."

So, what did you think? More will be coming ASAP, so please review!

-Son Kat