Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. They have been borrowed for entertainment purposes only. No commercial gain has or will be obtained. Thank you for reading and your reviews are most welcome.

This was my first EVER attempt at fan fiction and at fiction in the English language. In addition it was written many, many years ago so please, take that into consideration when reviewing. In other words, yes I am fully aware of how bad the writing is...hahahah!! :D

Kneeling

Part I

It was so late. Damn it, thought Kerry as she tried to crutch her way into the ER as fast as her legs could take her. The cool breeze hit her face as it opened the redhead's coat, sneaking behind her back and legs. Spring had already arrived but the remains of the winter's bitterness leaked to her bones. Drowned in her own emotions, Kerry did not feel a thing, did not even noticed. All she knew was that she was late and that she had bought it. Finally, she had bought it.

As soon as the ER doors opened in front of her, Abby ran to meet her, helping Kerry with her purse and her coat.

Anxiously, Abby asked, "So, did you get it?"

Kerry kept on walking rapidly and only stopped in front of Curtain One. Turning towards Abby, Kerry could not help herself and sketching the widest smile her mouth could manage said, "Yes!"

Abby sighed heavily, relieved to hear the news. She closed her eyes for an instant and opened them again only to find Kerry's hand on the left side of her face, holding her dearly, and the doctor's voice whispering, "Thank you Abby, thank you. You truly are a great friend. I owe you one".

With that, Kerry left Abby and walked into the exam room. Abby just stood there feeling good and proud of herself. Smiling, she shook her head sideways and headed towards the desk.

"What was that all about?" asked a pale Haleh who was not sure if Weaver's gesture towards Abby had been affection or suppressed anger.

"Oh nothing…" answered Abby absentmindedly. "I think I have a new friend…"

"In Weaver? No go girl, Weaver has no friends."

Abby's expression changed and in disbelief, she turned to face Haleh.

"Why do you say that? That's an awful thing to say. I mean, she's not the easiest person in the world, we all know that Haleh, but…" Abby paused for a second and smiled remembering Kerry's words. "… she's ok."

Two hours later, Kerry stood on the terrace and gazed at the city below her. The blue sky and the cool breeze bathed her face lovingly and she could not help but to deeply and slowly take air into her lungs and feel happiness, peace. Her world existed just the way she wanted and there was, for a moment, a complete sense of perfection. She was in love with Kim, Kim was in love with her, and she was about to ask Kim to become her wife.

My wife? thought Kerry as her cheeks quickly flushed. What am I thinking? God… my wife!

But her train of thoughts did not stop at the sudden realization. Kerry, indeed, wanted Kim to be her wife. That the law, or her religion, or her fellow human beings could not accept the concept was another story. But that was precisely what Kerry wanted from Kim and for Kim, to have her as a wife and together, form a family, a home. She stood there grinning at herself and shaking her head in disbelief. Is this me? How did I get here? A wife? Kim?. She thought chuckling to herself; a bit embarrassed, a bit excited.

"Yeah… a wife. My wife," she softly said before going back inside.

Just when she was about to open the door to get back inside the building, Abby appeared out of nowhere and immediately interrupted her focused thinking.

"So? Aren't you going to tell me? Or did you think I was just going to let you get away with it?"

"How did you find me?" asked Kerry.

"I saw you leaving the ER but I got busy and couldn't come up before. When I didn't find you anywhere, I figured you had to be here. And here you are…"

"Well yes… here I am. But I have to go now Abby. Can't it wait until later?"

"Oh come on, Kerry… sorry… Dr. Weaver…"

"Abby," said Kerry softly, "You can call me Kerry. Just don't do it too often in front of the rest. I don't want them to … you know… start thinking it is the same for everybody. Besides, they're so twisted they might start getting the wrong idea."

"Oh no, I understand Kerry. I… just wanted to know…"

"Let's do one thing," said Kerry, "… before I go home, we'll talk, is that all right?"

"Ok… thanks Kerry… I… I just wanted to tell you that…"

"What?"

"I just … I'm sorry… it's nothing."

"What? Tell me." Kerry was surprised that the normally articulate Abby was having so much trouble speaking to her. Am I so unapproachable that this kid is sweating bullets to tell me something, Kerry thought to herself.

"Abby…"

"Oh, I'm sorry Dr. Weaver, it's really nothing…"said Abby shaking her head sideways and looking at the door attempting to escape the awkward moment she herself had created.

"Abby, come," asked Kerry, grabbing Abby's arm and directing her towards a bench near the door. "Sit here with me. I'm sorry Abby, really. I did not mean to brush you aside like that. I'm sorry…" sighed Kerry in frustration. "You have been…" Kerry locked her eyes to Abby's. " You have been an excellent friend to me and Kim and I don't know how will I be able to repay you. Really. I'm really touched and grateful you've made this possible for us and I don't know how could I ever make it up to you. Thank you, really."

"Oh Dr. Weaver..." Abby blushed. "It's really nothing. I just..."

"Abby, if you had not come through when you did, and this for other people might seem something very trivial, I would have just gone into the Mall and would have bought anything that looked pretty enough. With your help I got something, not only beautiful, but worthy of Kim. Something that I hope, might translate what I feel for her and what she means to me. You have made that possible and you have made it easier for me. Gosh! I can't even imagine myself going to the Mall... can you?"

Abby smiled at the image of Kerry asking for rings at the Mall and could not help herself. A moment later she burst into laughter.

"I'm happy I can amuse you, Abby," said Kerry with a smirk.

"Oh no, I'm sorry Kerry... it's just funny… I can't imagine you…"

Kerry waited until Abby caught her breath again and felt relieved to see Abby less anxious with her.

"Another thing Abby," Kerry added while she gently held Abby's forearm with her left hand. "I never want to see you again like I saw you just now. You are our friend, Kim's and mine, and I hope you can feel free to talk to me about anything without having to …"

"Thank you Kerry…"

"I know I'm not the easiest person around but...I don't know... perhaps everything that has happened in my life, the way it is now, has made me realize a lot and I don't ever want to feel again, that I'm this sort of monster that everyone is afraid of."

Abby remained silent but her eyes conveyed feelings of relief, joy and thankfulness. However, she saw Kerry struggle and interrupted her.

"Kerry, I have always liked you. I don't know why, I just did. I have never seen you as a monster… granted, you are not easy to approach or easy to deal with, but I just wanted to show you that I have always been someone you could count on."

Kerry sighed heavily and smiled at Abby's words. She felt thankful and genuinely moved by the young nurse's words. But most of all she was amazed. Amazed at how clumsy and obtuse she had been to everything and everyone around her. Suddenly, she felt her world expanding in giant leaps, like hundred doors had opened at once inside her soul. With a lump in her throat, all she could muster was, "Thank you Abby."

Abby smiled and motioned to get up. Before opening the door for them both, Abby turned around and faced Kerry.

"But you will show it to me, right? Before you leave?"

"Yes Abby, I will," said Kerry softly.

(End of "Kneeling". Chap. 1)