Alcohol and Cigarettes
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story or ER. NBC does. Not that I don't wish I did…
A/N: Takes place before "Kisangani", after "Hindsight." Somewhat AU.
Prologue
He opened his eyes. Blinked once, twice. Shit. He'd forgotten to drink water after that half a bottle of vodka and was now paying for it. He had been a little preoccupied, though. Rolling over; he saw that the reason was laying with her back to him. Strange- he was sure he'd only paid her for a few hours. A shrill ring pierced the fogginess of his brain. The phone. He winced, glancing over at the woman in his bed, before answering.
"Hello?"
"Luka. Thank God. This is Carter. Listen, I need you down here. We're getting slammed. We're already down two doctors and a nurse."
"Carter, I- " He started.
"I know it's your day off." Carter interrupted. "I'm sorry, really I am, but we need the help. Please." He supposed it was as close to begging as he'd ever hear John Carter get.
"Fine. I'm on my way." He replied with a sigh. The clock read 7:48 am as he hung up. He shrugged off the sheet and walked to the bathroom; his bare feet making little sound against the wood floor. A few aspirins and a shower later, he was ready for work.
"Hey." He said to the woman, shrugging on his suit jacket. "You need to leave; I have to go into work." He gently shook her shoulder and she began to stir. He caught a glimpse of her face as she turned over. Sleepy brown eyes met startled green ones. It was her.
