Christmas In London, Part IIb - December 20
By: Lori (SixteenOzs)

DISCLAIMER: "ER," the characters and situations depicted within are the property of Warner Bros. Television, Amblin Entertainment, Constant c Productions, NBC, etc. They are borrowed without permission, but without the intent of infringement. The story presented here is written solely for entertainment purposes, and the author is making no profit.

Please do not post or redistribute without the disclaimer above, or without the consent of the author.

Please send all questions, comments or criticisms to SixteenOzs02@yahoo.com

SUMMARY: Follows Christmas In London, Part IIa.

RATING: PG

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Trigg for ALL of her help with information on London. I could NOT have done this without her. Thank you so much for putting up with my endless barrage of questions! I would also like to thank Farah and everyone else who has taken a look at the early versions and offered feedback. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Part IIb - Wednesday, December 20, 2000

"How much further?" Mark moaned.

"Just a couple of blocks," Elizabeth laughed. "We're almost there."

"It feels like we've been carrying this damn tree for years," he grumbled. "Not to mention the looks we got on the Tube."

"If I'd known you'd be this much of a Scrooge, I would have left you in Chicago," she teased.

He laughed in spite of himself. "I'm tired, I'm cold, I'm hungry and I'm carrying a very large stick with prickly needles."

She stopped walking and turned to face him. Smiling, she said, "I'll make it up to you tonight. I promise."

"I'm going to hold you to that," he said with a laugh. "Come on. Ready to get this tree home?"

"Yeah," she nodded as they started walking again.

"Finally!" she proclaimed as they carried the tree up the front steps of the flat. As they entered the foyer, she announced, "Charlotte, we're home! Is Daddy here yet?"

"Yes, he is," Charles answered as he came in to meet them.

"Daddy!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she dropped her end of the tree and ran to hug her father.

"Darling, it's so good to have you home again," Charles said as he kissed her on the forehead. "And this must be Mark."

Elizabeth smiled as she began to make the introductions. "Daddy, this is Mark Greene. Mark, my father, Charles Corday."

"I've heard quite a bit about you," Charles smiled and extended his right hand.

Mark made sure the tree was resting steadily against the wall before removing his gloves and shaking hands. Laughing, he said, "Most of it good, I hope. Pleased to meet you, Dr. Corday."

"All of it very good. And please, call me 'Charles.' 'Dr. Corday' makes me feel old, and like I'm at work."

"I know that feeling," Mark laughed.

"Is this your first trip across the pond?" Charles wondered.

"Yes, it is," Mark nodded.

"What do you think so far?"

"Very nice. Actually, I think I saw most of the country as we were carrying the Christmas tree back. It was a wonderful tour," Mark joked.

Charles chuckled. Turning to Elizabeth, he wondered, "Speaking of the tree, where did you get it?"

"We took the Tube out to a tree farm in Stanmore," she replied.

"But why?" he asked with a confused expression.

"You told me you didn't have a tree last year. I wanted to make sure you had one this year," she explained.

"Didn't Charlotte tell you?" he asked, his voice filled with amusement.

"Tell us what?" Elizabeth asked in confusion.

Charles tried to stop laughing long enough to explain. "Since I knew you were coming, I ordered a tree. It will be delivered tomorrow."

Mark and Elizabeth both stared at him for a few moments. Mark finally spoke. "Delivered? As in, the tree is being delivered here? To the doorstep? After we just spent the last hour and a half fighting with this tree on a train?"

"I'm afraid so," Charles nodded.

Elizabeth covered her mouth with one hand, trying to hold back the laughter. Finally pulling her composure together a bit, she moved her hand and looked at Mark. "I'm sorry," she said, trying to stifle a laugh. "I really didn't know."

Mark laughed and shook his head. "As long as you know that you owe me BIG for this one."

Walking over to Mark, Elizabeth slipped her arms around his waist. "I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"Well, after your little outing, I'm sure you both must be starving. Charlotte prepared a wonderful dinner before she left for the evening. Shall we go into the dining room?" Charles suggested.

Dinner began with cream of tomato and basil soup, followed by grilled salmon steak with asparagus tips and a green salad. As they began to eat, Elizabeth commented, "I was really hoping we'd have lamb kidneys tonight."

"Maybe tomorrow night," Charles suggested, desperately trying to hide a grin. "What do you think, Mark?

"Lamb kidneys?" Mark questioned with a slightly sick expression.

Elizabeth tried, but couldn't hold the laughter back any longer.

Realizing she was just giving him a hard time, he looked across the table and grinned, "Time to pick on the new guy, huh?"

"You should have seen the look on your face!" she laughed.

"Actually, she hates lamb kidneys, and most of the puddings we're supposedly known for," Charles assured Mark with a grin.

"She just loves torturing me," Mark said with a knowing look in Elizabeth's direction.

"Sometimes, you just make it too easy," she argued with a smile.

He laughed and shook his head.

As they ate, Charles began a discussion comparing the British and American approaches to medicine and socialized healthcare.

Later, Mark helped Elizabeth clear the dishes from the meal and bring out dessert and coffee. Sitting down at the table again, Elizabeth remarked, "This is Charlotte's infamous apple and blackberry crumble. It's one of the things I've missed most."

"More than me?" Charles asked.

"Of course not!" Elizabeth assured him.

"So, how are things at the hospital?" Charles wondered.

"Just great since Napoleon took over," Mark commented sarcastically.

Elizabeth practically choked on her coffee, as Charles asked, "Okay, what did I miss?"

Clearing her throat, Elizabeth explained, "Robert Romano became the hospital's Chief of Staff last year, over Mark's objections."

"I can't blame you there," Charles told Mark with a weary smile. "But surely you couldn't have been the only one who objected."

"Actually, I was," Mark replied. "I thought the other ER attending was going to back me up, but she switched sides once she realized we were in the minority. She's now the Chief of Emergency Services."

"That's hospital politics for you," Charles said sympathetically.

With a pointed look at Elizabeth, Mark said, "And I really hate that you have to work with him."

Elizabeth sighed. They'd had this discussion numerous times.

Charles chuckled at the interaction between the two. Gesturing towards Mark, he said, "Elizabeth, I like him. Smart man."

"Oh, great," Elizabeth moaned. "Now I have to deal with both of you over this."

"You cannot trust him," Mark reminded her.

"I know that. Believe me, I know that. You know what they say. Keep your friends close, your enemies closer," she countered.

From the look he gave her, she knew Mark still wasn't happy with her argument.

"Mark," she said softly, in the voice she knew he couldn't refuse, "for the next week, we're an ocean away from Chicago, the hospital and Romano. Could we please talk about something else?"

"Sure," he smiled.

"What if we DO something else?" Charles suggested.

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked with a confused expression.

Charles chuckled. "We've got one tree here, and another on the way. I think we need to start decorating."

"Probably a good idea," Mark laughed.

"You two just have to help me with the dishes first," Elizabeth grinned as she stood up and headed towards the kitchen.

Once the dishes had been washed and put away, and the kitchen cleaned, Charles and Mark moved the tree up to the lounge on the second floor.

Dusting his hands off, Mark wondered, "So, what's the plan?"

"Daddy, is everything still in the attic?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes," Charles replied, "I think we managed to fit everything into two boxes last year."

"Want to help me get them down?" Elizabeth asked Mark.

"Sure," he nodded as they started upstairs.

After two trips, they managed to bring all of the decorations downstairs. The first step was to put the tree in the stand, make sure it was standing straight and add water to the stand. Then, they began to untangle the lights and check for burnt out bulbs.

"Now, the fun begins," Elizabeth announced as she started unpacking the smaller boxes inside the larger ones.

"What's that?" Mark inquired.

"The ornaments," she grinned. "Daddy's been collecting them practically forever. Now, we'll bore you with the history of all of them."

"Sounds like fun," he grinned back.

"You'll even get to see some of the hideous ones I made when I was younger," she laughed.

"Is this something that I'll be able to tease you about for years to come?" he asked with a devious look.

"Only if I get something equally as incriminating to use against you," she countered.

"We'll see," he laughed as they started to unwrap and hang the ornaments.

Once practically every bough of the tree was holding an ornament, Mark helped Elizabeth place the angel on top, then they dimmed the lights in the room and lit the tree.

"Wow," Elizabeth whispered softly.

Charles smiled. "One of our best. Even if I do say so myself."

"Very nice," Mark added.

"I think we deserve a reward," Elizabeth commented.

Charles looked at her curiously. "What did you have in mind?"

"You'll see," she grinned before disappearing down the stairs.

"What is she up to?" Mark wondered.

"With her, it's hard to tell," Charles laughed.

Elizabeth returned twenty minutes later carrying a tray laden with mugs and dessert dishes.

"What have you got?" Mark asked suspiciously.

"Hot toddies and mince pie," she replied with a smile as she sat the tray on the coffee table.

Mark laughed. "Hot toddies. Know what that reminds me of?"

She turned to look at him. Curiously, she asked, "What?"

"Amanda Lee."

"Amanda Lee?" she questioned as she sat down next to him on the sofa. "That psychopath?"

"Who is Amanda Lee?" Charles asked in confusion before sipping his toddy.

"I'll let Mark explain," Elizabeth laughed. "She was his 'friend.'"

"I'm not sure that's the word I would use to describe her," Mark remarked warily. "I think stalker would be more appropriate."

"Stalker?" Charles questioned. "This I've got to hear."

"It was two years ago, now," Mark said. He stopped for a few moments to think back, then continued. "The ER was searching for a new Chief. I was on the selection committee, and in November we found a very impressive candidate in Amanda Lee. She had an excellent CV and references, plus some fairly intriguing ideas on how to improve the ER. I asked her out a couple of times, just for drinks or dinner."

"Then, in January, this agoraphobic patient came into the ER. She was injured the first time she stepped out of her house in years. We couldn't give her anything to calm her down until we could rule out a head injury. Amanda helped calm her down, and explained that she'd written an article on phobias for one of the journals. I was interested, so I pulled the article, and there a picture of this forty-year-old Asian guy and the name given was A.W. Lee. I asked her about it, and she said he was a classmate of hers from med. school, that they printed his picture by mistake. She said there was a correction in the next issue. I don't know why, but I decided to push the point, and actually called the journal to have them correct this on their Web site."

"He was trying to be chivalrous," Elizabeth interrupted with a grin.

He glared at her a moment, then grinned before going on with the story. "I was finally taking the agoraphobic patient up to CT when the journal called back. Amanda told the desk clerk that she was headed that way, and she'd deliver the message. To make a long story short, she locked me in the CT room, with the patient. Before she left, she told me how she loved me more than any man had a right to be loved, that she thought I was different, but she was wrong. We were locked in there for over an hour. By the time we got out, she'd disappeared."

"What was her problem?" Charles inquired.

"She was a psychopath and a pathological liar," Elizabeth supplied.

"She wasn't even a doctor," Mark added. She'd stolen someone's medical school transcripts, managed to get into a residency and went on from there. Hell, we made her chief of the emergency department."

"I ran traumas with her. She really seemed to know what she was doing. I don't know how she was able to fake that," Elizabeth added.

"That's incredible," Charles said, shaking his head in disbelief. "And more than a little frightening. Whatever happened to her?"

"We never found out," Mark explained with a shrug. "Personally, if I NEVER hear from her again, it will be too soon."

Charles laughed, but then asked, "But what does she have to do with hot toddies?"

"Oh," Mark nodded, "while she was acting as Chief of the ER, she threw a Christmas party for the staff. She purchased cases of beer, brandy and spices and made toddies for everyone."

"She sounds like quite the character," Charles comment.

"That's putting it mildly," Elizabeth laughed.

They continued to talk and trade stories until late into the night. Elizabeth noticed Mark trying to stifle a yawn. "You look tired," she remarked. "You should go to bed, you're still adjusting to the time difference."

"Probably a good idea," Mark admitted with a sigh. He kissed her gently on the cheek, then stood up. "'Night. See you in the morning."

"Goodnight," Charles said with a smile.

"I'll be up later," Elizabeth said as he left the room.

Elizabeth watched her father for several moments, before finally asking, "Well?"

Charles smiled. "I like him."

"So do I," she said quietly.

"That is quite obvious," Charles assured her. "I'm not sure I've ever seen you this happy. You look well."

Elizabeth laughed and shook her head. "You're not going to believe this, but that is the exact same thing Mother said."

"Isabelle and I actually agree on something?" he asked in disbelief.

"I'm afraid so," she grinned.

"When did she meet Mark?" he wondered.

"I thought I told you. Mother was in Chicago in February," she commented, "for a series of lectures. She even stayed with me."

"Really?"

"Yes," she nodded. Thinking back to her mother's stay, she laughed, "It was an experience."

"I don't think I want to ask," Charles remarked.

"Probably a wise idea," she nodded.

"So, how are you?" he asked.

"I'm good," she smiled. "I'm Associate Chief of Surgery. I know Robert's reasons for appointing me probably had more to do with his personal agenda than my abilities, but I think I've proven myself in the position. I've finally learned how to manage the administrative aspect, which gives me more time to focus on what I really love, the surgery."

"That's professionally. What about personally?" he prompted.

Elizabeth laughed. "You really need to ask?"

"Humor me."

"I'm great. We've been together about a year and a half now. It hasn't always been easy, but we made it through together, and I think we're closer and stronger because of it," she admitted. "What about you? How are you doing?"

"Same old, same old," he replied.

"Daddy!" she said pointedly.

"The practice is doing fine, more than enough work to keep me busy. Still looking for someone I trust to take over, so I can think about retiring," he added.

She knew that was her father's not-so-subtle attempt to remind her that he hoped she would take over his practice. Not wanting to begin that conversation at the moment, she just laughed and said, "That's professionally. What about personally?"

He laughed. "Do you remember Catherine Hampton?"

She thought for a moment. "She's the antiques dealer that lives a few blocks away, right?"

"Yes," he nodded. "We've been spending time together, enjoying each other's company."

"Oh, really?" she questioned with a grin. "Will I get to meet her?"

"She's spending the holidays with her son and his family in Paris," he explained.

"Next time, then," she said.

Charles studied his daughter for a few moments, then remarked, "You look tired."

"I suppose," she nodded. "There was a cranky two year-old behind us on the plane, so we couldn't really sleep during the flight."

"Maybe Mark isn't the only one who needs to recover from the time change," he suggested.

She smiled reluctantly. "Is that your way of telling me I should go to bed?"

"Well, I know how you generally react to orders, so I thought this might be a better approach," Charles admitted with a grin.

"Let me help you take this down to the kitchen, then I'll go to bed," Elizabeth said as she reloaded the tray.

After they'd cleaned up the kitchen and the dishes, locked all the doors and turned off the lights, Charles wrapped his arm around Elizabeth as they made their way up the stairs.

"I'm really glad you came home for Christmas," he said with a smile.

"It feels good to be back," she nodded. After a few moments, she hesitantly asked, "Are you sure you don't mind that Mark and I are staying in the same room?"

He chuckled slightly. "Somehow, I'm getting the feeling that if you were in separate rooms, neither of you would be getting much sleep."

Elizabeth laughed self-consciously. "You're probably right."

As they reached the landing of the third floor, he kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Good night, Elizabeth."

"'Night, Daddy," she smiled before opening the bedroom door.

She made an extra effort to be quiet as she moved about the room and bathroom, preparing for bed. Finally, she gently climbed into bed, being careful not to wake Mark. She turned so that she was lying on her side, facing the wall. A few moments later, he turned over in his sleep and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She smiled as she turned her head to look at him. Kissing his temple gently, she whispered, "Goodnight, Mark."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know what you think: SixteenOzs02@yahoo.com LLP

July 10, 2000

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