Disclaimer: I do not own these delicious characters.

Spoilers: After Susan left.

A/N: I meant this as a one shot. Ummm my mind lied.

Susan had barely made it in the door of her apartment when the phone started ringing. She grumbled under her breath and dropped her groceries on the kitchen table. It was the middle of a seven day stretch, and she wanted nothing more than a hot bath and her bed. She didn't really feel like it, but she grabbed the phone anyway.

"H'llo?"

"Susan, you sound nice and warm."

"Carol. Hi."

"Is it sunny down there? Are you wearing shorts? Do you have a sunburn yet?"

Susan chuckled and flopped down onto the couch.

"It's sweltering. I don't have an air conditioner and my ice maker broke. Currently I am wearing shorts and a tank top and sandals and I have a very sunburned nose."

"I hate you."

"How's that insulation project in your living room going?"

"I really hate you."

"That's good to know."

"I'm not calling to rag on you, I just want you to know that."

"What's up?"

Carol sighed.

"Have you called Mark?"

"No. Why? Is something wrong? Is he okay?"

"He misses you."

"I know."

"He really misses you, Susan. He's acting weird."

"Weird how?"

"Like Kerri."

"I just threw up in my mouth a little."

"I know. It's not really easy for any of us either."

"Is it really that bleak?"

"I would not be spending money on a long distance call from the stinky phone booth at work if it wasn't. He's in a bad way, and he won't admit it. He's grouchier than when Jennifer left him, Susan. You know how bad that was. I love the man dearly, but I'm about ready to slap him."

Susan felt the brick in her stomach gain a little weight and she slumped down on the couch, closing her eyes. Carol was always great at calling a spade a spade and laying on the guilt.

"What do you want me to do about it?"

"Calling him might be a nice start. You haven't talked to him since you've been gone, have you?"

"I've been busy."

"Susan."

"I've been scared."

"About?"

"I would like to remember everything as we left it. I call him, and if anything is different… I don't think I could handle it."

"First of all, you'd have to accept that because that's the way it is. And second of all, he really, really needs to hear your voice."

"Are you sure?"

"I know I'm not exactly the best person to give advice to the lovelorn, but I do have common sense. So yes, I'm sure."

"I'm kind of busy the next few days-"

"Susan."

"I'll call him in a few. Is he on tonight?"

"Yes. But we're closed to trauma, so he'll have time to talk."

"Closed to trauma? Do I want to know?"

"No, you don't. Call him, Susan."

"I will. And you and I will talk later?"

"I'll tell you all about Doug's run away who wanted to move in with him."

"Looking forward to it."

"Hey, we all miss you, you know."

"I miss you guys too. Bye Carol."

"Bye, Susan."

Carol hung up the phone and sighed to herself. She worked hard to keep this ER running. She never though that the most vital move she would ever make would happen in this phone booth. She stood up and opened the door just in time to hear Randi pick up the phone.

"ER… Dr. Lewis?...Of course, he just stepped into the lounge."

Carol smiled to herself. Susan was nothing if not a go getter.