Abby respected Luka's request and she didn't work at all. Instead she passed the time by reading articles in medical journals to educate beyond the ER. Luka worked longer days to make up for it and Abby resented that. One afternoon she appeared in the ER unannounced, Luka was in a trauma and didn't head her off so she made her way quietly to the locker room to pick up some papers that she had left there.

"Abby?" She turned at Kerry's voice.
"Hi Kerry," she studied the woman wondering if she was about to get a scolding.

"I thought Luka wanted you to stay home," Kerry tilted her head somewhat critically.

"I left some things here," Abby responded.

The two women walked out of the lounge and Abby came face to face with her ex-husband.

"Richard," she managed to hide her shock.

"Abby," he studied her and his eyebrows rose when he realized she was pregnant.

"So you finally got yourself knocked up. I couldn't believe you didn't get pregnant when we were married, we certainly fooled around enough."

His words were meant to hurt and they did. Abby felt Kerry stiffen beside her.

"Do you want me to call security," she asked softly and Abby shook her head.

"Richard, can we walk?" She was surprised at her forwardness, but it felt like something she should do to put the past behind her.

"Sure," he hesitated and then held the door open escorting her out. She felt her heart pounding, "Richard…"
"What is it Abby, I don't have much time here," his voice was curt.

"I was pregnant," she whispered.

"What," she could feel his eyes boring into her.

"I was pregnant once when we were married," she finally clarified.

"What happened?"

"I had an abortion," she waited for his explosion, but it never came.

"Why Abby?" He didn't say anything against her, but he clearly wanted to know.

"It was a whole lot of reasons," she said softly, "I didn't feel close to you, I didn't want to do it alone, I was afraid you'd leave me, I was afraid that the baby would be like my mom and I couldn't deal with that…" her voice trailed off.

"I'm sorry Abby," he sounded truly apologetic.

"I'm sorry too," she stopped walking thinking back to that day.

"Abby?" He stopped too.

"It was the hardest thing I ever did, I was so scared, but it was worse imaging myself alone, alone with a crazy child."
"What changed," his voice prodded her.

"What?" she asked.

"Well you're keeping this one, there's no ring on your finger yet, what changed?"

"Everything," she met his eyes, "I found someone who I would die for Richard, someone who gave up everything to be with me and someone who wants me to carry and give birth to his child."

"I always wanted children with you Abby," Richard hesitated.
"As you were screwing half the city," she was still bitter.

"He's faithful?" Richard sounded subdued.

"Yes," she said, "faithful and emotionally supportive."

"Is the sex good?" His voice was curious, not mean.

"Richard!" she was still shocked.

"Is it?"
"Yes," she smiled, "in many ways."
"We should get back," he turned and she followed suit.

Back at the hospital.

"She was here!" Luka felt a flash of irritation.

"She went for a walk with her ex-husband," Kerry said.

"Great," he muttered, just then he saw her walk through the doors.

"Luka," she hurried up to him.

"Abby," he said warningly aware of the man standing behind her.

"It's okay; I came to get something from my locker and ran into Richard. We just went for a quick walk, I needed to tell him about the abortion Luka, I needed to."

He studied her sincere loving eyes, "fine, I'm glad you're okay."

"I am," she assured him again taking his hand.
"Luka Kovac," he extended his free hand to Richard.

"Richard Lockhart," he responded in turn.

"Go say hello to Neela, I'll call you a cab," Luka told her and Abby vanished.
"I'm glad she has you," Richard said finally.
"So am I," Luka didn't hesitate to admit it.

"We were terrible for each other, but I still can't believe she actually had an abortion." Richard was still in shock.

"She was going to get one for our baby too," Luka said.

"What changed her mind?"
"She never said, she just said she couldn't do it," Luka said softly.

"I bet that was the happiest day you've had in a long time," Richard said finally.

"Yes it was," Luka agreed.

"Congratulations," Richard offered after letting out his breath, "I'm really happy for you both."

"We appreciate that," Luka felt as though a peace had been reached.

"I'm ready," Abby made her appearance again.

"Neela said hi?" Luka asked.

"I've got to go," Richard said hastily, "congratulations Abby and I'm really sorry about what happened with us. I wish you hadn't felt like you had to do it, but I'm glad you told me."
"Bye Richard, thank you."

"Take care Abby, I mean it," he was sincere and then gone.

"Are you alright," Luka wrapped his arms around Abby.

"Yes, I'm alright, I'm glad he knows; now it's over."

"The cab should be here, go home," Luka opened the door outside for her and she slid in.
"You coming home soon?" She peered up at him.

"By seven and I'll bring food," he promised.

The cap pulled away and Luka went back inside.

Abby sat quietly in the cab thinking about Richard. He was okay with it and best of all he knew. She always felt guilty about not telling him, but there was never a reason for her to share with him. He had been an unfaithful bastard who screwed her out of medical school. She hated his guts for so long and now she was free of him and she had moved on with Luka. It was so nice to have a family she could talk to and a lover who wanted to be with her. Eric was still missing and she had this urge to call Maggie, but she didn't want to know. Maggie would call or Eric would call.

She climbed up the stairs and went up to her room curling up on her bed; it had been a long day.

Luka arrived at seven thirty food in hand; he didn't see Abby and made his way upstairs. Just then the phone rang, "Abby Lockhart please," the voice came through the line.

"She's asleep, can I take a message," Luka asked.

"This is the sheriff Mills in Washington D.C, her brother Eric Lockhart was checked in yesterday."

"One minute please," Luka sat down next to Abby, "it's for you."

He watched her face grow fearful and then she hung up.

"What?"

"He's in a coma," she responded softly.