Feedback: Sure, I'd love to know what you think … and whether or not you want to read the next chapters. ; )
Category: Carby
Spoilers: Only if you haven't seen S8.
Summary: Different ending for "A Simple Twist Of Fate" (8.14)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything … ; )
Author's Notes: I already posted 2 of my other fics, but this is my first attempt. I wrote it almost a year ago. But I thought I'd post it anyway. : )
Part (1/10)"Susan, how is she?", Luka asked her impatiently as she came out of Abby's room.
"Her nose is broken and she has a few bruises. But the good news is that she's not been raped."
Luka was relieved.
"But she's very upset. The police was here, too. She told them everything Brian did. They will investigate the case. She will have to testify against him when it comes to court. But the chances aren't good. He denies everything and he has an alibi."
"He deserves to go to jail!", he answered angrily.
"Do you think she wants to stay at my apartment?", Luka then asked. "I don't want her to be alone tonight, but maybe she wouldn't feel comfortable with me alone at my place..."
"I have already offered her to stay with me. She hesitated first but then she said that it was okay.", Susan interrupted him.
"Good. " Luka said as Susan was about to go back to Abby. "But take care of her."
"I will Luka, don't worry!" she said, already on her way.
A million thoughts crossed Susan's mind. She did not regret that she offered Abby to stay at hers, but she didn't know what to do or say. Something like that never happened to her. How would Abby feel?
She pushed away her doubts as she reached Abby's room. She would just try to help her as good as she could.
"Hey, Abby, can we go?", Susan asked calmly.
Abby didn't say anything, just nodded.
"Okay, then let's go."
Susan grabbed the bag with Abby's clothes and they went outside to the car.
Across the street Abby could see John heading to the ER. She turned around quickly so that he couldn't make out that it's her. She didn't want to meet him right now. She didn't want to talk to him, answer his questions, see the concerned look on his face. She didn't want him to see her like that. She was ashamed, ashamed of what happened to her. She knew it wasn't her fault. No matter what she did before, Brian did not have the right to do that, nobody did!
But she felt guilty, like it was her fault.
Finally they reached Susan's apartment. She lead Abby into the living room.
"Coffee, tea, anything else?"
"Tea please."
"Okay, I'll be right back. Sit down if you want to."
Susan went to the kitchen to make some tea while Abby sat down on the sofa. She was glad she was not at home because Brian could come back. But it was awkward to be here, at Susan's apartment. She liked her, but she didn't know her for long.
Susan put the kettle on and went back to Abby. "If you want to have a shower or change, feel free to use everything. You can take something from my clothes."
Abby felt ashamed but she really needed a shower and some new clothes. So she decided to accept the offer.
The first thing she did when she stepped into the bathroom was staring at herself in the mirror. She had already seen her injuries at her apartment and compared to that she was already looking better, no blood everywhere anymore. But she was still shocked. She always considered herself as a strong woman, but now she felt weak. There was nothing she could do to stop Brian and that scared her.
Finally she took off the clothes they gave her at the hospital and stepped under the shower.
The cold water was running over her face when she felt the salty tears in her wounds.
20 minutes later she came out of the bathroom and sat down on the sofa again. Susan brought in the tea and sat down next to her.
They both sat there for a while, staring at their cups, unsure of what to do or to say next.
"Um, do you want to talk about what happened?", Susan finally asked after what seemed like an eternity of silence. She didn't know what but she had to make a start and say something.
Of course Abby felt the need to talk. But she could not open up to Susan.
"There is nothing to talk about. You know what happened, what else can I say? It's no big deal, I'm okay.", Abby finally responded, head down to hide her face. But Susan could see the sad expression on it. She wanted to help her but she didn't know how.
"But if there is anything you want to talk about ...", Susan said, trying again to talk to Abby.
"Thank you, I know. But all I want is to sleep."
"Okay, you can take the bed, I'll sleep on the sofa."
"No, you don't have to ...", Abby started to protest.
"It's okay, I like the sofa.", Susan interrupted her, smiling a little to make Abby feel more comfortable.
"Thank you.", she said and went to the bedroom.
At first she could not sleep. Her face hurt and the only thing she could think of was Brian. Why did he do that to her? Why did she open the door again? And there was this fear. Tonight she was safe, but what about tomorrow, the rest of her life ... ? She had to go back to her apartment sooner or later. And even if she moved out, Brian knew her name, where she worked. He would always be able to find her.
Finally, after hours, she fell asleep. It was not a peaceful sleep, Brian chased her through her bad dreams.
Susan could not sleep either. She was not afraid of Brian, but there were these thoughts again that crossed her mind earlier. She felt powerless. She tried to help her, but Abby did not talk to her and she was sure she won't either.
She had just fallen asleep, when a scream woke her up again. She got up from the sofa quickly and hurried over to the bedroom.