So, fine. She did it. She gave in. Carter persuaded her enough until she said yes. Or maybe it wasn't even that, maybe it was her idea. Maybe she was glad he was out of her –well, their – way at last so she could yell "next". Or maybe they happened a while back, somewhere between her moving out of her safety place and Greene dying. While Greene was dying. That's a weird analogy. Anyway, he's actually more surprised that he was surprised when he found out.

About a week ago, they came in together. But he used to give her rides to work as well, long after they've … whatever. And, you know, she didn't seem to care too much that he fell asleep on the sofa, in the lounge and was ok with going home alone. And so what she was tying his scrubs and paying attention to his general well - being? They're friends. Close friends. Friends who confide in…bull. It wasn't that she moved on, it wasn't like he was pinning for her and it wasn't even the fact that he was alone. Again. No. It was the fact that she moved on with him, that they seem close and that she's happy. Or just not looking so utterly miserable like back then. And her moving on with Carter meant their…whatever meant absolutely nothing to her, that it was just a small diversion, passing time. So he was nothing, during the day. Did she ever think about Carter when…? No, at least he was sure of that part. She definitely wanted that out of him, and him only. Hell, she did come back night after night…whenever she wasn't dealing with her mother or her ex-husband or Carter's lame ass charity ball – if it's for charity, than why do they need to have a ball? so all the rich folks can brag about their donation? – or those other 9,997 things on her mind. Sometimes, she should've left the money on the night stand. Ok, that's a bit over the top, but still…

So today he found out about them. Chuny called them "sooo cute", after spotting them holding hands outside the ambulance bay. While he had lost that sheer of self-confidence and self-awareness he still had. Because you see, growing up with certain role models – a happy life, a fulfilling job, in whatever field that is, normal parents who had given both guidance and liberty to chose what suits their sons bet – sets your mind up to create a certain path in life that you see as normal and it doesn't even cross your mind that – you know - a bomb may fell on your head. Literally.

He was, sort of, waiting for her to come in person, drag him aside, or ask him to go outside for coffee, and in the middle of conversation say something like "So…Carter and I…you know"…or…decline his offer of a ride home with "No…Carter and I are going to dinner", or anything to that effect. Really, just a hint would've been enough. He did open the door for her to tell him a few times, making some moronic remark about her and Carter coming in together and some others, that made him seem like an idiot. Instead, he got to find out last.

He ruined everything himself, so he shouldn't complain about her moving on. She deserves to be happy. It really was his fault he'd lost her, it he hadn't been such a zombie half the time. Only half…the first one. Before Maggie and Carter making goo-goo eyes. When she seemed to really enjoy his company - well, what's left of him, anyway - and really, she had been the first one in centuries to behave like a school girl with a crush around him. And no, the very few before County don't really count, because it was weird on so many levels, mainly since they knew he was going to sail away – well, not really, just knew that he was only moonlighting for a really short period of time, and would in no way consider being permanent – and didn't care. At all. And Carol doesn't count either. He was looking for something else to think about, she was looking for a new doorma – no. He wasn't the passive type whenever he really wanted something. Going with the flow…waiting for the woman to make the first move..and continue from there on really wasn't him, just this guy who appeared to be perfect and flawless and who so didn't give a rat's ass about the father of the twins, their last name or some other trivial stuff like that. Weird. He turned around to take another look at Abby after first meeting her and that hadn't happen before in …this life and even thought – just for a second or two, while alone in his hotel room – if she would've like to have dinner with him. Too bad Carol was rambling one day about some patient who had to pay alimony for four ex-wives and started counting the married, engaged and not married people in the E.R. Abby fell in the first category. Oh well…she would've said no anyway.

But no more second guesses now. She half pulled him out of the numbness that allowed him to function all those years, but didn't stick until the end. To them, he's invisible. To her, just a bit of history.

He had always thought he could tell what all those women wanted from him, always staring at him in bars, restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations. Some smiling sheepishly, some looking away when their eyes met or others very confident and inviting. He'd always ignored them, seen through them. He was either taken or not interested. But – what the hell? You're still young, single and attractive. You were changing diapers while your friends were changing vodka labels. You only live once so if you manage to do it fast, it'll all go away.

"Hi. Sorry to bother you. My friend is getting married in a week so we were out to celebrate….aaaaand…things got a bit kooky and we made a bet."

"Oh. What kind of bet?"

"We bet that you're either a stock broker, a lawyer or a secret agent ."

"Secret agent? No. Neither of those."

"Doctor?"

"Nope."

"But?"

"Actually, I'm a male escort."

"That would've been my first choice, but you didn't seem to be looking for…work."

"I'm off duty."

"Well, then you can sit with us."

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

"Oh come on…three single ladies…the alcohol is starting to wear off... We would love to listen to a few of your stories…I mean…your line of work is just…fascinating."

"You think?"

"I know."