I kinda, borrowed this idea from 'Four Corners' from Season 8 of ER, but hey- it's a fanfic, I'm allowed. I'm going to admit that this is a bit of a filler chapter. It's really setting the scene for the next chapter. There are a couple key scenes in here. I hope you enjoy! And thanks to all my wonderful reviewers! 

First verse is from "The Promise" by Tracie Chapman

Second verse from "Crawling in the Dark" by Hoobastank

Third verse from "Here With Me" by Dido

Fourth verse from "Queen of Hearts" by Gregg Allman

Chapter Eleven: The Promise

Abby woke up alone. It was crazy how much she missed Luka when he worked the night shift. It didn't happen very often anymore- thank God. It was close to eight o' clock, he would be home soon. As if on queue, Abby heard the door open. She smiled as Luka walked quietly into the room.

"Good morning." He said, leaning over to kiss her. He was hoping to walk in to her sleeping. He loved watching her sleep. "And hello to you too." He rubbed Abby's stomach.

"Morning. How was your shift? Slow?"

"I wish. There were five GSW's, three multiple victim MVA's, and just a bunch of weirdoes with all kinds of problems." He collapsed onto the bed beside her, pulling her to him. "I missed you." He said, nuzzling her neck.

"Me too." She sighed. "I've got work in an hour." She paused. "This sucks, you know. You're the boss; can't you keep us on the same shifts?"

"It only happens every once in while. It can't be helped, ljubavni. I'm sorry." Luka kissed her hair.

"I know it isn't your fault. It still isn't fair." She got up. "Get some sleep, Luka. I'll see you tonight." He raised his eyebrows at her, that grin on his face. She folded her arms.

"Is that all you ever think about?"

"Of course not, just when you're in the room." Luka yawned. Abby rolled her eyes and walked off towards the shower. "It's a compliment, Abby." She ignored him. He laughed, briefly thinking about joining her. 'I'll go in a minute.' He closed his eyes.

"And after all that we've been through
I find that when I think of you
A warm soft wind runs
through and through
And in my heart
there's only you"

When Abby came out of the shower, he was fast asleep. She pushed his hair back, placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Don't work too hard." Luka mumbled, his eyes still closed. She smiled down at him.

"I won't. Sleep tight." With one last glance, she was off to work.

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I woke up, vaguely aware of a warm body entangled with mine. I snuggled closer. 'Mmm… Michael.' My eyes shot open. Michael was in Iraq… Ray was in bed with me. While I was hardly hung over (I'd only had two drinks the night before), it still took a few minutes for the pieces to come together. 'I slept with Ray… last night. Oh bugger.' A part of me, albeit a very small part, felt guilty for letting things get so far with Ray. It was wrong in so many ways- never mind that I was finally doing something for myself.

For the most part, however, I was so happy to finally be with Ray that I didn't actually care. I kissed him, softly, on the lips. His eyes fluttered a bit before opening to reveal brilliant, sea green eyes.

"I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Help me carry on
Assure me it's ok to use my heart and not my eyes
To navigate the darkness"

"Morning." I said, a sleepy smile on my face.

"Hey beautiful." He replied, pulling me back on top of him. I looked down at him, my hair making a curtain around our faces. We kissed long and hard- savoring this moment we had to ourselves.

"I love you, Neela. And there's not a damn thing I can do about it." He placing my hair behind my ear, letting his hand stroke my cheek.

"I know. I'm as helpless as you are, Ray. I love you, too." I sighed, tucking my head under his chin. "It isn't fair, Ray."

"I know. Michael's a good guy, though. He deserves better than this. We all do." I sat up, needing to see the sincerity in his eyes. It was there.

"Don't think I regret last night, because I don't. I just wish things were different. I wish I had you." I felt a tear run down my cheek. He wiped it away with his thumb.

"You do, babe, you already do. Straighten things out with Gallant first. I'll wait." He kissed my forehead.

"Oh I am what I am
I'll do what I want
But I can't hide
I won't go
I won't sleep
I can't breathe
Until you're resting here with me"

"Thank you." I whispered. I took his hands in mine, pressing my lips to them. He gathered me into his arms and we stayed there for what felt like an eternity. God, I didn't want it to end.

"Oh, shit." I looked at Ray quizzically. "I'm going to be late." We sat up together. I looked at the clock with him.

"Damn, so am I." We were on the road in ten minutes.

xxxxxxxx

Carter opened his eyes. He lay there for a while, enjoying a quiet moment. 'My last day in Chicago.' He let out a breath. 'It's time to go back to Africa.'

The large, empty house no longer bothered him as he padded down the stairs. His son's ghost was gone, allowing him to live and breathe and feel. Replacing the sorrow were memories of his grandmother and grandfather, and of Bobby. His own dead haunted him just the way Luka's once had all those years ago. He had more in common with his friend than he realized. But Carter had learned a valuable lesson from Luka: don't let death overwhelm you, embrace your losses and move on.

"If you wait for me then I'll come for you
Although I've traveled far
I always hold a place for you in my heart
If you think of me, If you miss me once in a while
Then I'll return to you
I'll return and fill that space in your heart"

And he was moving on, or at least trying to. This trip to Chicago had been good for him. He was ready to go back and make amends with Kem. To make things work and to teach his wife what life had taught him this past week.

As he got into the cab later that morning, he realized there was one more thing left to do.

"Before we go to the airport, I need to make two stops…"