Title: When Darkness Falls, I'll Be There
Author: Kirsten
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: No Strings Attached
Summery: Carter comes home after Abby calls him but with some interesting results.
Author's Notes: Okay, this is my first fic. I got the idea after watching the previews for next week's episode. I love Abby and Carter together and wish that I could send some of the writers over to JAG (my other favorite show besides ER!)...(if you watch JAG, then I think that you know what I mean!) I would some feedback but please be nice! I hope that you enjoy this!
**
PART 1:
Carter's POV:
After Abby called me, I just sat there stunned. One of the hardest times in her life and I'm not there. Sighing, I pick up the phone and dial an airline. She may not want me there but I can't just stay down here and not do anything. I have to go.
Steven, my roommate, comes in, "Hey, John. What's wrong?"
"My girlfriend's brother has been missing for about 11 hours. They think that his plane went down."
Steven whistles, "You goin' home?"
"Yeah. Abby may not want me there but I can't just sit here doing nothing."
"Agreed. Look, I'll go tell Jake that you're leaving."
"Thank Steven," I say as a woman picks up, "Yes; I need the first available flight back to Chicago."
Ten minutes later, I have a flight and I begin to throw my clothes into my suitcase. Calling a taxi, I head to the airport. Please, let Abby be happy to see me.
**
Abby's POV:
I stare at the bottle that is sitting on my counter. The last time I got a bottle, it was because of my brother. The last time I got a bottle, I didn't drink it because Carter came home. Now, it's again because of my brother that I have that stupid thing but Carter's not here. Looking back, I wish that I had told him to come home because I need him. Whenever he's gone, I feel like there's a deep ache in my heart. I'm seriously hoping that he doesn't go to Chechnya or any other of those places that he wanted to. I couldn't deal with it. I'd miss him so much.
I sigh, pushing my hair back off my face before heading into my bedroom. Maybe getting some sleep will help. I jump slightly as the door bell rings three hours later. God, I hope that it's not Susan. Susan's a good friend but I just want to be alone tonight. "Go away." I yell and close my eyes.
I hear a key in the lock and then the door being opened. It can't be John. He's in Belize. "Abby? Abby, where are you?"
I hear him come into the bedroom. I keep my eyes closed. Maybe he'll think that I'm asleep and go home. No such luck. I feel the bed move under me as he comes in and wraps an arm around my waist. I sigh and snuggle up to him, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I couldn't stay there knowing that you needed me." He says as he kisses my cheek and pulls up against his chest.
"I told you that I didn't want you to come home. You were down there, you didn't need me to worry about."
He sighs, "Abby in case you haven't realized it yet, I care about you. I couldn't just stay there and not worry about you."
"John, I'm not a little girl. I can take care of myself." I say and roll around so that I'm facing him.
"Abby Lockhart, that's where you're wrong. Everyone needs someone to lean on once in their life. There will be times that I need someone to lean on and I hope that it will be you."
"Can we not fight about this now?" I ask him.
"Sure. Look, when's your next shift?"
"I'm on at eight this morning."
"Get some rest. I'll be here." He says as he kicks off his shoes and then climbs up the covers with me. He pulls up against his chest and I sigh as his strong arms engulf me. "Thank you, John."
"Get some sleep, Abby, I'll be here." He says as he starts quietly singing.
When darkness falls upon your heart and soul
I'll be the light that shines for you
When you forget how beautiful you are
I'll be there to remind you
When you can't find your way
I'll find my way to you
When troubles come around
I will come to you
I'll be your shoulder
When you need someone to lean on
Be your shelter
When you need someone to see you through
I'll be there to carry you
I'll be there
I'll be the rock that will be strong for you
The one that will hold on to you
When you feel that rain falling down
When there's nobody else around
I'll be
And when you're there with no one there to hold
I'll be the arms that reach for you
And when you feel your faith is running low
I'll be there to believe in you
When all you find are lies
I'll be the truth you need
When you need someone to run to
You can run to me
I'll be your shoulder
When you need someone to lean on
Be your shelter
When you need someone to see you through
I'll be there to carry you
I'll be there
I'll be the rock that will be strong for you
The one that will hold on to you
When you feel that rain falling down
When there's nobody else around
I'll be
I'll be the sun
When your heart's filled with rain
I'll be the one
To chase the rain away
I'll be your shoulder
When you need someone to lean on
Be your shelter
When you need someone to see you through
I'll be there to carry you
I'll be there
I'll be the rock that will be strong for you
The one that will hold on to you
When you feel that rain falling down
When there's nobody else around
I'll be
END PART 1.
PART 2:
Carter's POV:
After lying in bed with Abby for about two hours, my stomach growls and I head into the kitchen. That's when I see it. The bottle. Why the hell is this here? I could have sworn that Abby was past this. I realize now that she's not. Come to think of it, the last time Abby told me about her drinking was when her brother was AWOL or what ever the hell that means. (A/N: AWOL stands for Away WithOut Leave.). Putting the bottle on the table and sit down. I don't believe it.
"Carter?" Abby says from behind me.
I turn around to find Abby standing there, wrapped in a blanket from her bed. I open my arms and she comes and sits on my lap. I wrap my arms around her tightly and rest my chin on her shoulder, "What's up, Abby?"
"You want to know why I brought it."
"No, I wasn't it. I was just going to wait for you to explain."
"Liar." She says as she turns around to face me.
"I'm not lying." I say as I kiss her forehead.
"John, you forget that I know you. You wanted to know why I brought it."
"Abby, I learned my lesson a while ago. Don't pressure you," I say before dropping down a whisper, "Expect about sex." I say as I try to lighten the mood.
She laughs, her eyes smiling, "That's true. I really don't have a reason for buying it. I guess that I was just retreating back into my comfort zone."
"Well, can I become part of your comfort zone?" I ask her.
"You always have." She says as she smiles.
"Thank you," I say as I kiss her gently, "You need to get some more sleep. Doctor Carter's orders."
"Really, what will Dr. Carter do if the patient doesn't follow orders?" she says, joking.
I smile, I really want to get her to forget about her brother for a little while and stop being so worried, "Well, Dr. Carter is going to have to put you in bed because you are being a bad patient."
"Really?" she says as I pick her up and carry her into her bedroom.
"Really." I smile at her before capturing her lips in a long kiss.
**
Abby's POV:
When I wake up two hours later, I have to smile. Leave it to Carter to make me forget about all my troubles and worries for even just a few hours. I get out of bed and wrap my robe around me. Carter's still asleep, his hair pointing in all directions. I kiss his forehead and head into the kitchen. I start the coffee pot and then sit down at the table. I stare at the bottle for a few minutes before making up my mind. I take it, unscrew the cork, and then pour the vodka down the drain. I've made my decision. No more running into my comfort zone. I'm going to face my problems head on, with Carter by my side. If he'll be there. I rinse the bottle out and throw it into the recycling bin (A/N: the author is very big on recycling!).
"I'm proud of you, Abby." Carter says as he grabs a glass and pours himself a glass of orange juice.
"For what?" I ask him. No one has ever told me that they were proud of me.