1 Past Ghosts And Future Promises
2 Disclaimer: Don't own them, don't make any money from them, never have and unfortunately never will
Category: Carter/Susan, Mark/Susan friendship
3 Rating: PG13 at the moment for language
4 Spoilers: Brief episode 13
5 Notes: Thanks to the surprising response to my first fanfic offering, I've decided to keep going with this one. I wanted to throw into the Carsan mix things that seem to be sorely lacking on the show so far, mainly some Mark/Susan interaction and some Susan based angst. Hope you all enjoy it, please R&R!
5.1
5.2 Chapter 1: Next of Kin
Suppressing a yawn as she stirred, the last fragments of Susan's dream lost their grip as consciousness won and she opened her eyes. Slowly stretching her arms above her head, she groggily glanced at the clock.
"Shit!"
Now wide-awake, she rolled over and shook the prone figure snoring softly beside her. "Carter, wake up! John!"
"Hmm?" was her sleepy reply as he threw his arm over her, already falling back to sleep.
"We've slept in!" She hissed into his ear as she tried to remove the dead weight of his arm, "It's 6.30, we're both on at 7."
"Fuck!" He bolted upright and looked at her with wild eyes. "What happened to the alarm?"
"How should I know?" She replied throwing back the covers and standing up. "It was you that set it. God it's cold," she shivered as she made a beeline for the bathroom. She stopped in the doorway and glanced back to see him still in bed and rubbing sleep out of his eyes like a three year old. He looked adorable, but they were running late.
"Carter move! It's Weaver who's on this morning. She's gonna kill us!"
"You know it's gonna take too long for me to wait for the shower," he replied, looking up with a sly smirk. "I'm just gonna have to join you."
She couldn't help the grin that formed on her lips, "You really think that will save time?" Shaking her head she said, "Go and use one of the guest rooms… but I'll take a rain check," before closing the door and turning on the water.
Smiling to himself he got up and went over to the phone. "Henry? Could you do me a favour? Start my car and bring it round to the front. We're running a little late this morning. Thanks." Heading next door to use the bathroom in the guest room, he tossed one last look at his own now firmly closed bathroom door and shrugged, *It was worth a try, to hell with weaver*.
As he pulled into the parking lot, Carter glanced at the time. "7.10am, we aren't that late. We might even manage to sneak in without her noticing."
"Are we talking about the same Kerry Weaver here? Short, red head, the devil incarnate with a stick?"
He parked, turned off the ignition and leaned over to surprise her with a passionate but all too short kiss.
"What was that for?" She asked, surprised, but in no way complaining.
"Making up for being made to shower alone," he shrugged nonchalantly. "That and I couldn't resist. But Kerry's not that bad you know, otherwise I would never have been able to live with her for so long."
"I'll ask you that again in five minutes shall I?" she retorted as she stepped out to of the car. He merely grinned back at her over the roof of the car as he locked it.
They hurried towards the entrance where Carter stopped short with his hand on the door, causing Susan to run into his back. "It's simple, we keep our heads down and head straight for the lounge. Trust me, I'm an expert."
"Whatever you say doctor," she dryly replied as they moved through the doors. Whilst marching towards the lounge, she glanced up and saw that the place was practically dead. She reached up to whisper in his ear, "Looks like we may get away with it after…"
"Good afternoon doctors! How nice of you to grace us with your presence."
"Then again, maybe not."
They pivoted round to face an irate looking Kerry. Carter stepped forward to try to explain. "Dr. Weaver, we're really sorry, but we had a slight problem with the alarm this morning and…"
"Save it Carter, an excuse is an excuse and I don't need to hear it. I'm trying to run an ER here and if I can't rely on one of my attendings or my chief resident to be punctual, then what hope have I got with my junior members of staff? You are doctors, not sales assistants. If you aren't here on time, lives are at risk. Now, I understand you are at the beginnings of a relationship, and I'm happy for you, but please don't let it affect your performance and dedication to your jobs."
"We are sorry Kerry, it won't happen again," Susan apologised when she had finished her speech.
"Good, please make sure that it doesn't. I don't want to lose two of my best doctors to lovesickness," she smirked, turning to head back to the desk. Stopping, she tossed over her shoulder, "Carter, there's a chest pains waiting for you in exam 2, Susan an asthma attack in curtain 3."
They entered the lounge and went to their lockers to retrieve their lab coats. "I'm confused, is it just me or somewhere amongst all that did she say that she approved of us?" Susan mused as they moved back towards the door.
"Now that was the part I picked up on too. That and the 'best doctors'." He grinned as he held the door open for her, "See I told you so, she isn't that bad." She just rolled her eyes in response and headed for curtain 3.
Stifling a yawn whilst rubbing the back of her neck, Susan approached the tray of charts at the desk. The ER had been swamped, the whole of the morning and most of the afternoon passing by in a seemingly endless carousel of patients.
"Got anything for me Randi?"
"Nope, we seem to have hit a lull," Randi replied, popping her ever present gum.
"Finally," Susan sighed. "If I'm needed I'll be in the lounge catching up on charts."
"Righto."
Susan retrieved the offensive paperwork and headed for the lounge, but was intercepted by Abby. "Could you sign off on Mrs Harrison? Her son's on his way in to collect her."
"Sure," she replied taking the offered chart and struggling to sign it and maintain her grip on the other ones.
"That's quite a pile you have there," Abby noted, nodding towards the paperwork.
"Tell me about it," she replied as she rolled her eyes. "The joys of being a doctor." She handed Mrs Harrison's chart back to Abby. Abby returned her smile, but in a slightly wistful manner. "Yeah, well don't let me keep you from them." Abby smiled slightly again before heading back down the corridor. Susan watched her retreating form briefly, relieved that they were at least making some headway and could now hold a civil conversation.
Shaking her head slightly to clear her thoughts, she pushed open the lounge door to find that Mark had had the same idea and was sitting at the table with a mountain of paperwork of his own in front of him. "Hey," she said, dumping her charts across from him. Looking up he smiled back at her. "Coffee?" she questioned, nodding at his empty cup before going over to the pot.
"Nah, I've had far too much of the stuff already today, thanks."
"Killer day huh?" She stated as she took a seat.
"You can say that again. Don't think I've treated so many minor cases in a long time. Strangely slow on the traumas though. Well, so far," he amended, flashing her a grin.
"Knock on wood," She replied, rapping her knuckles on the table. She opened the first chart and picked up her pen. "How's Ella doing?" She asked, changing the tone of the conversation.
"She's doing good," he nodded, "Elizabeth's still at home with her. She's not ready to leave her side yet and return to work."
"That's understandable," she sympathised, "And Rachel?"
He sighed and frowned before responding. "She's back with Jenn. Hating it and hating me. I just pray to God she's been shocked into learning her lesson"
"Mark, I know we haven't had that much time for each other since I got back, but I want you to know that I'm always a friendly ear if you need to talk about anything. Despite the past."
"I know," he replied simply, "And I'm glad. It goes both ways though." She nodded and he looked back down to scribble on his charts, trying to think of something to say to lighten the mood again.
"So, I hear someone didn't start the morning in the best of ways," he said, looking up mischievously.
She laughed. "Yes, you could say that. Though she wasn't that bad about it really. She even slipped in an approval of our relationship amongst her tirade. Had me shocked to say the least."
"How are things going with Carter?"
"They're good, real good in fact. There have been a couple of hiccups, but what relationship hasn't?"
He nodded understandingly, before breaking into a grin. "I so called it ages ago. I knew there was something going on. I'm psychic!"
She rolled her eyes before answering, "Yeah, you're a regular post modern Nostradamus aren't you?"
"Of course."
"So how's our futures looking then, oh great one?"
"Nothing but sunny skies for everyone. We've had enough misery to last us a life time," a hint of sorrow creeped into his voice. She leaned over to give his arm a quick squeeze.
"I know, believe me I know," she said softly, her voice echoing his. The silence stretched on for a few minutes as they both wrote their notes, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Susan?" He asked hesitantly after a while.
"Hmm?"
"You've never really talked about this and I understand if you don't want to, but why did you come back? How was life in Phoenix?" She raised her head in surprise to meet his questioning gaze briefly before staring into space, collecting her thoughts.
"It took a bit to get used to it at first to be honest. I'd wonder daily if I'd made a big mistake. But being with Susie and Chloe was great and eventually I settled into the job just fine. I…I even fell in love," she added cautiously, looking at him for a second, trying to gauge his reaction. Despite having both moved on from that day years ago, and their mutual desire to remain nothing more than friends, the subject of love was still slightly taboo and had only really been discussed in a light manner. Relieved to see no change in his facial expression, she continued. "Then, in a nutshell, the shit hit the fan." She finished with a sigh.
"In what way?" he pressed.
"Let's just say that three weeks before my wedding day, my eyes were opened."
Sensing from the sad and slightly faraway look in her eyes, that this was all he would get from her on the subject, he decided to drop it for the time being. "Well I for one, and I think I can confidently speak for Carter too, am glad that you are home," he said, smiling warmly at her.
"Me too" she stated, returning to the present and smiled back at him. "The past and Phoenix are far behind me now. I'm back at County and I'm falling in love with a wonderful, sweet man. Yeah, I'm glad to be home." They both returned to their work in a comfortable silence.
"So, when do you get of?" She asked as they left the lounge, many charts later.
"Nine, you?"
"Seven," she replied smugly.
"Carter too?"
"Yep. He doesn't know it yet, but he's taking me to dinner."
"Well you have to take advantage of having a rich boyfriend right?"
"Exactly!"
"Dr. Lewis!" Randi hollered as she spied them walking down the hall, "There's someone from Phoenix Memorial on the phone for you," she continued when they turned back towards her.
Susan gave Mark a surprised look. "Looks like you are psychic after all," she noted archly before walking over to retrieve the phone. Mark followed her, heading for the computer.
"Susan Lewis" she stated into the phone. "Carrie! How are you? Hmm…what? …I see…"
Being near enough to overhear, Mark noted the change in her demeanour and glanced up from the screen. The colour had drained from her face and she was clutching the desk as if to steady herself. Just then, Carter wandered past, engrossed in a chart and oblivious to his surroundings. Mark grabbed his elbow to get his attention and nodded in Susan's direction. Carter noticed her distress immediately and walked over, concerned, to stand next to her. The conversation seemed to be winding up.
"Of course…thanks for phoning Carrie…yeah, soon as I can…bye," the last few words were barely more than a whisper. She replaced the receiver and stared at it blankly. Carter hesitantly put a hand on her shoulder. She didn't notice.
"Susan? Are you alright?" he asked gently. She turned slightly to face him.
"Yeah…uhm that was my old work. My …my ex-fiancé has been in a car crash. She didn't want to go into it over the phone, but they don't think he'll make it." He gently gripped her elbow in an attempt to comfort her. She continued, "He still had me listed as his next of kin." She looked up into his eyes and whispered, "I have to go to him."
He nodded, not quite fully understanding, and pulled her into an embrace.
To be continued…
2 Disclaimer: Don't own them, don't make any money from them, never have and unfortunately never will
Category: Carter/Susan, Mark/Susan friendship
3 Rating: PG13 at the moment for language
4 Spoilers: Brief episode 13
5 Notes: Thanks to the surprising response to my first fanfic offering, I've decided to keep going with this one. I wanted to throw into the Carsan mix things that seem to be sorely lacking on the show so far, mainly some Mark/Susan interaction and some Susan based angst. Hope you all enjoy it, please R&R!
5.1
5.2 Chapter 1: Next of Kin
Suppressing a yawn as she stirred, the last fragments of Susan's dream lost their grip as consciousness won and she opened her eyes. Slowly stretching her arms above her head, she groggily glanced at the clock.
"Shit!"
Now wide-awake, she rolled over and shook the prone figure snoring softly beside her. "Carter, wake up! John!"
"Hmm?" was her sleepy reply as he threw his arm over her, already falling back to sleep.
"We've slept in!" She hissed into his ear as she tried to remove the dead weight of his arm, "It's 6.30, we're both on at 7."
"Fuck!" He bolted upright and looked at her with wild eyes. "What happened to the alarm?"
"How should I know?" She replied throwing back the covers and standing up. "It was you that set it. God it's cold," she shivered as she made a beeline for the bathroom. She stopped in the doorway and glanced back to see him still in bed and rubbing sleep out of his eyes like a three year old. He looked adorable, but they were running late.
"Carter move! It's Weaver who's on this morning. She's gonna kill us!"
"You know it's gonna take too long for me to wait for the shower," he replied, looking up with a sly smirk. "I'm just gonna have to join you."
She couldn't help the grin that formed on her lips, "You really think that will save time?" Shaking her head she said, "Go and use one of the guest rooms… but I'll take a rain check," before closing the door and turning on the water.
Smiling to himself he got up and went over to the phone. "Henry? Could you do me a favour? Start my car and bring it round to the front. We're running a little late this morning. Thanks." Heading next door to use the bathroom in the guest room, he tossed one last look at his own now firmly closed bathroom door and shrugged, *It was worth a try, to hell with weaver*.
As he pulled into the parking lot, Carter glanced at the time. "7.10am, we aren't that late. We might even manage to sneak in without her noticing."
"Are we talking about the same Kerry Weaver here? Short, red head, the devil incarnate with a stick?"
He parked, turned off the ignition and leaned over to surprise her with a passionate but all too short kiss.
"What was that for?" She asked, surprised, but in no way complaining.
"Making up for being made to shower alone," he shrugged nonchalantly. "That and I couldn't resist. But Kerry's not that bad you know, otherwise I would never have been able to live with her for so long."
"I'll ask you that again in five minutes shall I?" she retorted as she stepped out to of the car. He merely grinned back at her over the roof of the car as he locked it.
They hurried towards the entrance where Carter stopped short with his hand on the door, causing Susan to run into his back. "It's simple, we keep our heads down and head straight for the lounge. Trust me, I'm an expert."
"Whatever you say doctor," she dryly replied as they moved through the doors. Whilst marching towards the lounge, she glanced up and saw that the place was practically dead. She reached up to whisper in his ear, "Looks like we may get away with it after…"
"Good afternoon doctors! How nice of you to grace us with your presence."
"Then again, maybe not."
They pivoted round to face an irate looking Kerry. Carter stepped forward to try to explain. "Dr. Weaver, we're really sorry, but we had a slight problem with the alarm this morning and…"
"Save it Carter, an excuse is an excuse and I don't need to hear it. I'm trying to run an ER here and if I can't rely on one of my attendings or my chief resident to be punctual, then what hope have I got with my junior members of staff? You are doctors, not sales assistants. If you aren't here on time, lives are at risk. Now, I understand you are at the beginnings of a relationship, and I'm happy for you, but please don't let it affect your performance and dedication to your jobs."
"We are sorry Kerry, it won't happen again," Susan apologised when she had finished her speech.
"Good, please make sure that it doesn't. I don't want to lose two of my best doctors to lovesickness," she smirked, turning to head back to the desk. Stopping, she tossed over her shoulder, "Carter, there's a chest pains waiting for you in exam 2, Susan an asthma attack in curtain 3."
They entered the lounge and went to their lockers to retrieve their lab coats. "I'm confused, is it just me or somewhere amongst all that did she say that she approved of us?" Susan mused as they moved back towards the door.
"Now that was the part I picked up on too. That and the 'best doctors'." He grinned as he held the door open for her, "See I told you so, she isn't that bad." She just rolled her eyes in response and headed for curtain 3.
Stifling a yawn whilst rubbing the back of her neck, Susan approached the tray of charts at the desk. The ER had been swamped, the whole of the morning and most of the afternoon passing by in a seemingly endless carousel of patients.
"Got anything for me Randi?"
"Nope, we seem to have hit a lull," Randi replied, popping her ever present gum.
"Finally," Susan sighed. "If I'm needed I'll be in the lounge catching up on charts."
"Righto."
Susan retrieved the offensive paperwork and headed for the lounge, but was intercepted by Abby. "Could you sign off on Mrs Harrison? Her son's on his way in to collect her."
"Sure," she replied taking the offered chart and struggling to sign it and maintain her grip on the other ones.
"That's quite a pile you have there," Abby noted, nodding towards the paperwork.
"Tell me about it," she replied as she rolled her eyes. "The joys of being a doctor." She handed Mrs Harrison's chart back to Abby. Abby returned her smile, but in a slightly wistful manner. "Yeah, well don't let me keep you from them." Abby smiled slightly again before heading back down the corridor. Susan watched her retreating form briefly, relieved that they were at least making some headway and could now hold a civil conversation.
Shaking her head slightly to clear her thoughts, she pushed open the lounge door to find that Mark had had the same idea and was sitting at the table with a mountain of paperwork of his own in front of him. "Hey," she said, dumping her charts across from him. Looking up he smiled back at her. "Coffee?" she questioned, nodding at his empty cup before going over to the pot.
"Nah, I've had far too much of the stuff already today, thanks."
"Killer day huh?" She stated as she took a seat.
"You can say that again. Don't think I've treated so many minor cases in a long time. Strangely slow on the traumas though. Well, so far," he amended, flashing her a grin.
"Knock on wood," She replied, rapping her knuckles on the table. She opened the first chart and picked up her pen. "How's Ella doing?" She asked, changing the tone of the conversation.
"She's doing good," he nodded, "Elizabeth's still at home with her. She's not ready to leave her side yet and return to work."
"That's understandable," she sympathised, "And Rachel?"
He sighed and frowned before responding. "She's back with Jenn. Hating it and hating me. I just pray to God she's been shocked into learning her lesson"
"Mark, I know we haven't had that much time for each other since I got back, but I want you to know that I'm always a friendly ear if you need to talk about anything. Despite the past."
"I know," he replied simply, "And I'm glad. It goes both ways though." She nodded and he looked back down to scribble on his charts, trying to think of something to say to lighten the mood again.
"So, I hear someone didn't start the morning in the best of ways," he said, looking up mischievously.
She laughed. "Yes, you could say that. Though she wasn't that bad about it really. She even slipped in an approval of our relationship amongst her tirade. Had me shocked to say the least."
"How are things going with Carter?"
"They're good, real good in fact. There have been a couple of hiccups, but what relationship hasn't?"
He nodded understandingly, before breaking into a grin. "I so called it ages ago. I knew there was something going on. I'm psychic!"
She rolled her eyes before answering, "Yeah, you're a regular post modern Nostradamus aren't you?"
"Of course."
"So how's our futures looking then, oh great one?"
"Nothing but sunny skies for everyone. We've had enough misery to last us a life time," a hint of sorrow creeped into his voice. She leaned over to give his arm a quick squeeze.
"I know, believe me I know," she said softly, her voice echoing his. The silence stretched on for a few minutes as they both wrote their notes, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Susan?" He asked hesitantly after a while.
"Hmm?"
"You've never really talked about this and I understand if you don't want to, but why did you come back? How was life in Phoenix?" She raised her head in surprise to meet his questioning gaze briefly before staring into space, collecting her thoughts.
"It took a bit to get used to it at first to be honest. I'd wonder daily if I'd made a big mistake. But being with Susie and Chloe was great and eventually I settled into the job just fine. I…I even fell in love," she added cautiously, looking at him for a second, trying to gauge his reaction. Despite having both moved on from that day years ago, and their mutual desire to remain nothing more than friends, the subject of love was still slightly taboo and had only really been discussed in a light manner. Relieved to see no change in his facial expression, she continued. "Then, in a nutshell, the shit hit the fan." She finished with a sigh.
"In what way?" he pressed.
"Let's just say that three weeks before my wedding day, my eyes were opened."
Sensing from the sad and slightly faraway look in her eyes, that this was all he would get from her on the subject, he decided to drop it for the time being. "Well I for one, and I think I can confidently speak for Carter too, am glad that you are home," he said, smiling warmly at her.
"Me too" she stated, returning to the present and smiled back at him. "The past and Phoenix are far behind me now. I'm back at County and I'm falling in love with a wonderful, sweet man. Yeah, I'm glad to be home." They both returned to their work in a comfortable silence.
"So, when do you get of?" She asked as they left the lounge, many charts later.
"Nine, you?"
"Seven," she replied smugly.
"Carter too?"
"Yep. He doesn't know it yet, but he's taking me to dinner."
"Well you have to take advantage of having a rich boyfriend right?"
"Exactly!"
"Dr. Lewis!" Randi hollered as she spied them walking down the hall, "There's someone from Phoenix Memorial on the phone for you," she continued when they turned back towards her.
Susan gave Mark a surprised look. "Looks like you are psychic after all," she noted archly before walking over to retrieve the phone. Mark followed her, heading for the computer.
"Susan Lewis" she stated into the phone. "Carrie! How are you? Hmm…what? …I see…"
Being near enough to overhear, Mark noted the change in her demeanour and glanced up from the screen. The colour had drained from her face and she was clutching the desk as if to steady herself. Just then, Carter wandered past, engrossed in a chart and oblivious to his surroundings. Mark grabbed his elbow to get his attention and nodded in Susan's direction. Carter noticed her distress immediately and walked over, concerned, to stand next to her. The conversation seemed to be winding up.
"Of course…thanks for phoning Carrie…yeah, soon as I can…bye," the last few words were barely more than a whisper. She replaced the receiver and stared at it blankly. Carter hesitantly put a hand on her shoulder. She didn't notice.
"Susan? Are you alright?" he asked gently. She turned slightly to face him.
"Yeah…uhm that was my old work. My …my ex-fiancé has been in a car crash. She didn't want to go into it over the phone, but they don't think he'll make it." He gently gripped her elbow in an attempt to comfort her. She continued, "He still had me listed as his next of kin." She looked up into his eyes and whispered, "I have to go to him."
He nodded, not quite fully understanding, and pulled her into an embrace.
To be continued…