I could see it happening this way, where that was the first introduction and there was no need to go anywhere else in Elizabeth's mind.
And really, I think a lot of their relationship, by its nature, is based on projection. It's based on that very real way they connected, but then Gregory clearly projects how he feels about Elizabeth's family (that she would sacrifice the kids, leave them to run off with him) onto how he thinks Elizabeth feels. Elizabeth does the same thing, which is why it's so hard for her to get behind the idea that he's not going to want to go to Moscow. She's projecting that he feels the same way that there's nowhere better than Russia, that being back there after a long, faithful service would be a reward (and probably her dream.) Because they could only see each other sporadically, they would probably spend what little time they had reaffirming the one area they DID connect, rather than poking a lot into uncomfortable topics and potentially uncovering something that spoils the perfect little escape aspect of the affair for her.
And so since the nickname thing could potentially stir up some uncomfortable questions for Elizabeth, I could see why she would prefer just to not think about it, and enjoy the few hours they had together and get a break from all the uncomfortable questions she has to deal with in her daily life. Elizabeth, no matter who she's with, has the tendency to shy away from things that make her uncomfortable emotionally, only confronting them when she's forced to.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2013-08-04 03:05 pm (UTC)And really, I think a lot of their relationship, by its nature, is based on projection. It's based on that very real way they connected, but then Gregory clearly projects how he feels about Elizabeth's family (that she would sacrifice the kids, leave them to run off with him) onto how he thinks Elizabeth feels. Elizabeth does the same thing, which is why it's so hard for her to get behind the idea that he's not going to want to go to Moscow. She's projecting that he feels the same way that there's nowhere better than Russia, that being back there after a long, faithful service would be a reward (and probably her dream.) Because they could only see each other sporadically, they would probably spend what little time they had reaffirming the one area they DID connect, rather than poking a lot into uncomfortable topics and potentially uncovering something that spoils the perfect little escape aspect of the affair for her.
And so since the nickname thing could potentially stir up some uncomfortable questions for Elizabeth, I could see why she would prefer just to not think about it, and enjoy the few hours they had together and get a break from all the uncomfortable questions she has to deal with in her daily life. Elizabeth, no matter who she's with, has the tendency to shy away from things that make her uncomfortable emotionally, only confronting them when she's forced to.