Disclaimer - I own nothing.

A/N - None of this is based on season 12. If anything is similar it is coincidence, I have only seen the first couple of episodes.

Missing.

Chapter One - Footsteps

"For crying out loud Abby, where are you?" Carter muttered under his breath. He had been waiting for her to arrive at the restaurant for half an hour and was starting to get funny looks from the waiters. He had just returned from Africa, where he had left 11 years of service in the ER to return to. He was only back for 2 weeks, but was hoping to catch up with as many friends as possible. He and Abby had always had a complicated relationship, but they had worked through previous difficulties, and were now good friends. At one time in his life, Carter had thought that he would marry Abby, even bought a ring, but it just hadn't meant to be.

"Sir, did you want to use a phone to call someone?" A passing waiter enquired

"Uh, no its ok, I have my cell"

Carter stood up and went outside to the foyer. He dialled Abby's apartment first.

"Hi, you have reached the Lockhart-Kovac residence, please leave a message after the tone and we'll get back to you"

That's right, Luka and Abby had become an item. Carter didn't know how, or when, but he had felt a small pang of jealousy towards Luka. However, Carter was in a relationship of his own, a fellow aid worker in Africa, Jane. It was early days, but he hoped it would be the dtart of something good.

Carter sighed anddecided to try the ER next, Abby's shift was supposed to have finished two hours ago, but anything could happen in that place.

"Hello, Emergency Department, Dr Lewis speaking"

"Susan, its Carter"

"Oh hey Carter! What's the matter, can't resist this place already!"

"No, I'm supposed to be meeting Abby for dinner, but she hasn't shown up. Is she still there?"

"No, she left about 2 hours ago, she was looking forward to it. Oh wait, here's Luka, I'll ask him if he's heard anything"

"Thanks Susan" Carter glanced down at his watch, 20:45, Abby was 45 minutes late, it was just not like her.

"Carter?"

"Oh hi Luka"

"Abby hasn't shown up?"

"No, have you heard from her?"

"No, not since she left the ER about 2 hours ago. I'm a bit worried"

"Yeah, me too, I tried your apartment, no answer. I'm going to take a drive around"

"I'll keep trying to contact her; she's probably having a clothing dilemma!"

"Ok, I'll let you know if I find her"

Luka hung up the phone. He was a bit concerned about this. Abby was not the type to just disappear, and she had been looking forward to tonight. It was not like her.

Earlier – 18:45pm

"Susan I'm off, can you let Luka know?" Abby yelled out to the blonde chief.

"Ok, take care Abby, say hi to Carter for me"

"I will"

Abby walked out of the ER doors and inhaled the crisp air. It was February and temperatures were lower than average. She walked along the pavement and heard footsteps behind her, getting faster and faster. She inhaled a deep breath, it was moments like these that made her nervous. Ever since she had been abducted from the ambulance bay, she had never felt comfortable when walking alone. Still, the restaurant was only a block away from the hospital, it wouldn't take that long.

"Abby, wait up!" Abby breathed a sigh of relief.

"Luka" You scared me half to death" Abby turned around and smiled at him, a little nervous smile.

Luka noticed this and felt immediately bad for walking up behind her.

"I'm sorry honey, I just wanted to catch up with you before you left"

"I told Susan to let you know I'd left"

"I know, but I wanted to do this" Luka held her face between his hands and kissed her softly on the lips.

Abby looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks Luka, I'll try not to be too late"

"Make sure Carter drops you home, have a nice night"

Abby watched Luka's retreating body walk back to the ER. She sighed to herself and smiled. She carried on walking when she heard footsteps behind her again. She smiled to herself and wondered what Luka wanted this time. Only this time, it wasn't him.