Disclaimer: I own squat, especially in the realm of ER, they aren't mine I just...borrow them from time to time.

"She's been gone for too long!" Neela said in a worried tone "I can't reach her at home, her pager...nothing, and besides it's not like her to run from an argument"

"Isn't that the truth" muttered Susan standing beside her, hands in her lab-coat pockets.

Neela continued looking out into the ambulance bay, then, as she saw the most recent one leave, she saw Abby appear through the haze of exhaust.

"Thank god!" cried Neela and Susan simultaneously as Neela ran out into the bay to meet Abby, who'd looked up and seen her then started to jog slowly towards her and straight into the arms of the slightly surprised Neela, grasping reflexively at the scrubs Neela wore, as arms wrapped themselves securely around her.

"I got you, you're safe with me Abby" Neela muttered to her friend who was clinging tightly to her and shivering slightly in a way uncharacteristic of the normally strong and self-reliant Abby.

"Can we go home?" asked Abby in an impossibly small voice, scrambling quickly from her friends grasp.
Neela nodded not un-wholly surprised at Abby's withdrawal after only a brief moment of 'weakness'.

"Good" said Abby nodding slightly, arms hugged tightly to herself.

It took Neela a moment to register Abby's appearance "Th..That's not yours is it?" she asked tentatively.
Abby looked puzzled "What's mine?" she queried hazily
"The blood, Abby, you're covered in it, what happened to you?" Neela paused in her questioning noticing Abby's discomfort "forget that one, just...tell me if the blood is yours or not, okay?" she said in a softer tone, hands on Abby's upper arms and looking into haunted eyes.
"It's not mine" she assured the woman in front of her "none of it is"

Neela sighed visibly "Glad to hear it...you must be freezing, we'll go get your coat and then the El...Susan's been worried...well, first she was pissed, but then she was worried" Neela amended then paused before continuing "As have I" at Abby's raised eyebrow "I was worried, not angry...I'm glad you're back" she added somewhat shyly avoiding Abby's gaze, thus missing the brief smile in response to her ramblings.

They went inside to the locker room, trying to avoid as many people and their questions on the way. Neela left Abby to go find Susan to tell her that their friend was safe and that they were both leaving for the day.

Her intentions relayed, she went to fetch Abby, Neela found her already in her coat but just standing there, looking slightly lost and withdrawn into herself somewhat.
She called out to her softly "You ready to go Abby?" as she approached
Abby looked up and nodded numbly but didn't move.
When Neela reached her side she paused for a moment, seemingly contemplating her next move, then, having made her decision, reached out and clasped Abby's hand.
"C'mon then" she said tugging slightly, expecting her to release her grip once they were moving, though much to Neela's surprise, her grip tightened, their fingers slowly entwining, as they walked out of the locker room, through the ER and out into the ambulance bay in the direction of the El.

As they got outside Abby walked imperceptibly closer to her friend, wincing slightly when large SUV's passed them by or slowed down, but otherwise appearing to be the same Abby who'd left the house the night before.

"Abby?" said Neela quietly "You're safe okay? You're with me and I won't let anything else happen, promise!" she continued in a stronger tone.

Abby squeezed her hand " I know" she whispered in her slightly gravely voice "thanks for not asking too many questions"
"Whenever you're ready, I'm here"