Abby stumbled into the lounge in a haze of grumpiness, having missed the
first train to work and more importantly the time to get the necessary
coffee to wake herself up. Susan couldn't help but smile at her friend's
disheveled appearance. She decided to try and go for humor, and see how
Abby responded.
"Well Good Mornin' Sunshine." She giggled and used her worst Texas accent.
Abby could only manage a slight groan in reply.
"Hmmm. That much of a morning person huh? Well, no offense, but you look like you were run over by a Mac truck.."
Abby allowed herself to laugh lightly and then replied, "Yeah, I only wish."
Susan was intrigued. "Really? Was it that bad? What happened to you? Or should I ask whom?"
Despite her annoyance with him, Abby felt a grim smile reach her lips as she answered. "A certain arrogant doctor we all know very well, that's what happened to me."
"Oh god what did he do now?" Susan pulled up a chair beside her own and motioned for Abby to sit down and spill the tale.
The two women talked for about five minutes while Abby downed her coffee and prepared herself for the long shift that awaited her. She was starting to feel better talking to Susan about all of this; she was such a great listener. When Carter stumbled into the lounge these same five minutes later, Abby knew she didn't feel strong enough to face him yet. She still felt put off by him. When he entered, both women stopped talking and Abby gracefully got up from the table spilling the rest of her coffee down the drain. She was calling over her shoulder a "We'll talk later." and was out the door in one fell swoop.
Carter shook his head after realizing how fast she had been there and then was gone. He looked sheepishly at Susan and ran one hand through the back of his hair.
"Uhh she told you didn't she?" He was starting to look squeamish.
"You really blew it this time Carter. What is the matter with you? You have such an unattractive jealous streak. And what is it with this stalker tendency I am hearing about?"
"That part was totally unintentional." His head snapped up and a desperate look was in his eyes. "I swear."
"Okay, Okay, you don't have to apologize to me." Susan was laughing at him, the poor thing.
Just then, Kerry entered the lounge and asked for Carter's assistance on an incoming. Her voice took on a much softer tone ever since she had returned from her vacation. She smiled at both of them before leaving the lounge, pulling her gown over her clothes.
Susan and Carter gave one another a quizzical look. She laughed out loud and said, " I guess count your blessings right? Let's not ask her any questions she seems to be in an extraordinary mood today."
"You're right Dr. Lewis, and I have never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth."
She pointed her finger at him and said, " Hey you, don't try to change the subject at hand."
He looked at her, pathetic, and seeking sympathy because of his mistake.
Susan reached across the table to pick up her stethoscope and she placed this gingerly around her neck. She straightened out and then released a small sigh.
"You know, my original assumptions were all true."
"Oh really? And what were those?" He tilted his head to one side, waiting for her answer.
"That you are hopeless Carter. Tell her! You need to tell her before you go crazy, or she does. Never mind how crazy both of you are making me. You better tell her or I might have to call up my friend Charlie."
"Oh yeah and who is Charlie? Some cute fireman she'd fall madly in love with, and then I'd never hear from her again?" He released a small sigh.
"No, you fool. He's a skywriter. You know, he flies a little plane and creates messages in the sky? I'm going to tell him to broadcast your love all over Chicago unless you tell her, and as soon as possible. Either that or I think I'll lock you both in a room." She grinned at the possibility of this, and the protests she would ignore while she shoved them both in some closet.
Carter smiled at her and said, " I don't know what I would do without your pearls of wisdom."
She walked past him and grabbed his hand shaking it up and down. "Well its good to do business with you sir. Now, if only you could send some real pearls as payment in lieu of my usual bill, I will be all set to dazzle my date on Saturday night."
"I think you'll knock him dead either way, but I'll see what I can do." Carter grinned at her. He really did appreciate her advice.
She smirked at him over her shoulder and then was out the door. He stood thinking things over until Kerry popped her head in the lounge again. " Dr. Carter, you coming? ETA 5 minutes."
"Oh yeah, I'll be right there." He dropped his stuff into the bottom of his locker
Kerry tilted her head to the side, "Everything okay John? You seem distracted."
"I'm okay, just a little exhausted that's all, nothing big."
"Okay then, well I'll be here if you need to talk." She walked backwards out of the lounge.
"Thanks." He called after her but she was all ready outside in the ambulance bay awaiting the new arrival.
He put on his jacket and dressing gown and looped his stethoscope about his neck. He drew in a deep breath and headed out of the lounge. He looked in the direction of the admit desk only to be treated to a vision of Abby chewing on her pen while overlooking a chart. She made his heart skip a beat and there were birds flying around his stomach crashing into one another. Susan was right; he had to tell her before he went crazy. He couldn't believe how arrogantly he had behaved with her the night before. He had to find some way to make it up to her.
Suddenly Abby looked up aware that someone was staring at her from the entranceway. When she discovered it was Carter she felt a wave of fever flash over her body. She looked quickly down at the floor and then up at him again. She raised one eyebrow and tried to display an overall feeling of annoyance at having caught him staring at her but she didn't think he was falling for it. God I hope he didn't see me blush like an idiot, she thought to herself. She grabbed up a chart and strode off down the hallway to look after a patient. That was what she was working there for wasn't it? Not to go all gah-gah over a certain arrogant doctor. Despite this she couldn't help smiling to herself as she went out of his range of vision. He looked so cute standing there with his mouth open.
Carter snapped back to attention when he heard the ambulance sirens getting closer. He took one last look at Abby as she disappeared down the hallway and he thought he could see her shaking her head. He really didn't mean to stare. It was just difficult not to. She consumed him like no woman ever had.
The day passed rather uneventfully and Carter was glad when his shift had ended. He decided to do something about this whole Abby situation tonight. He entered the lounge half expecting for her to be there waiting for him. He tried to hide his disappointment when he found only Malik munching on a bag of Fritos.
"Hey Carter, long day?"
"You could say that, yeah. When are you off Malik?"
"Oh I've got another couple hours to go man. At least my break just started though. You have a hot date tonight?"
Carter grunted. "Ahh. No, I do not. I have no specific plans for the evening, just something important I need to do."
" I hear that, well listen get it done before you crash Carter. You look so beat you just might crash and burn before you get there."
Carter smiled and tossed his bag over his shoulder. " Wish me luck that I don't crash and burn before I get there. I'll need it."
"Alright. Later Dr. Carter. Have a good night." Malik gave him a peace sign and a huge grin over his bag of corn chips.
Carter went to open the door of the lounge but stopped in his tracks with his hand on the door handle. He tried to sound casual.
"Ahh, by the way, Malik do you happen to know where Abby is?"
Malik's grin spread quickly over his face. "Is that the something important you need to do?"
Carter blushed wildly and looked down at the floor. "No. I was just wondering where she went I know she was supposed to get off this hour."
Malik snickered "Umm yeah, she and Chuny went to the movies I think. I overheard them talking about some chick flick they wanted to see at the Majestic. That was about 15 minutes ago."
" Thanks Malik."
"No problem."
As he turned to go Carter heard Malik call his attention back into the lounge again. " I just want to say that I really hope you don't crash and burn with Abby. She is one feisty woman so watch yourself!"
"Yeah. Yeah she is, and I will. Thanks for the words of advice." Carter laughed and shook his head. He headed out of the hospital 25 minutes after he should have been released. Some days you just can't leave this place he thought to himself. He was glad to have decided to get things off his chest as soon as possible. He just hoped that he could do it once he came face to face with the "feisty" brunette.
"Well Good Mornin' Sunshine." She giggled and used her worst Texas accent.
Abby could only manage a slight groan in reply.
"Hmmm. That much of a morning person huh? Well, no offense, but you look like you were run over by a Mac truck.."
Abby allowed herself to laugh lightly and then replied, "Yeah, I only wish."
Susan was intrigued. "Really? Was it that bad? What happened to you? Or should I ask whom?"
Despite her annoyance with him, Abby felt a grim smile reach her lips as she answered. "A certain arrogant doctor we all know very well, that's what happened to me."
"Oh god what did he do now?" Susan pulled up a chair beside her own and motioned for Abby to sit down and spill the tale.
The two women talked for about five minutes while Abby downed her coffee and prepared herself for the long shift that awaited her. She was starting to feel better talking to Susan about all of this; she was such a great listener. When Carter stumbled into the lounge these same five minutes later, Abby knew she didn't feel strong enough to face him yet. She still felt put off by him. When he entered, both women stopped talking and Abby gracefully got up from the table spilling the rest of her coffee down the drain. She was calling over her shoulder a "We'll talk later." and was out the door in one fell swoop.
Carter shook his head after realizing how fast she had been there and then was gone. He looked sheepishly at Susan and ran one hand through the back of his hair.
"Uhh she told you didn't she?" He was starting to look squeamish.
"You really blew it this time Carter. What is the matter with you? You have such an unattractive jealous streak. And what is it with this stalker tendency I am hearing about?"
"That part was totally unintentional." His head snapped up and a desperate look was in his eyes. "I swear."
"Okay, Okay, you don't have to apologize to me." Susan was laughing at him, the poor thing.
Just then, Kerry entered the lounge and asked for Carter's assistance on an incoming. Her voice took on a much softer tone ever since she had returned from her vacation. She smiled at both of them before leaving the lounge, pulling her gown over her clothes.
Susan and Carter gave one another a quizzical look. She laughed out loud and said, " I guess count your blessings right? Let's not ask her any questions she seems to be in an extraordinary mood today."
"You're right Dr. Lewis, and I have never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth."
She pointed her finger at him and said, " Hey you, don't try to change the subject at hand."
He looked at her, pathetic, and seeking sympathy because of his mistake.
Susan reached across the table to pick up her stethoscope and she placed this gingerly around her neck. She straightened out and then released a small sigh.
"You know, my original assumptions were all true."
"Oh really? And what were those?" He tilted his head to one side, waiting for her answer.
"That you are hopeless Carter. Tell her! You need to tell her before you go crazy, or she does. Never mind how crazy both of you are making me. You better tell her or I might have to call up my friend Charlie."
"Oh yeah and who is Charlie? Some cute fireman she'd fall madly in love with, and then I'd never hear from her again?" He released a small sigh.
"No, you fool. He's a skywriter. You know, he flies a little plane and creates messages in the sky? I'm going to tell him to broadcast your love all over Chicago unless you tell her, and as soon as possible. Either that or I think I'll lock you both in a room." She grinned at the possibility of this, and the protests she would ignore while she shoved them both in some closet.
Carter smiled at her and said, " I don't know what I would do without your pearls of wisdom."
She walked past him and grabbed his hand shaking it up and down. "Well its good to do business with you sir. Now, if only you could send some real pearls as payment in lieu of my usual bill, I will be all set to dazzle my date on Saturday night."
"I think you'll knock him dead either way, but I'll see what I can do." Carter grinned at her. He really did appreciate her advice.
She smirked at him over her shoulder and then was out the door. He stood thinking things over until Kerry popped her head in the lounge again. " Dr. Carter, you coming? ETA 5 minutes."
"Oh yeah, I'll be right there." He dropped his stuff into the bottom of his locker
Kerry tilted her head to the side, "Everything okay John? You seem distracted."
"I'm okay, just a little exhausted that's all, nothing big."
"Okay then, well I'll be here if you need to talk." She walked backwards out of the lounge.
"Thanks." He called after her but she was all ready outside in the ambulance bay awaiting the new arrival.
He put on his jacket and dressing gown and looped his stethoscope about his neck. He drew in a deep breath and headed out of the lounge. He looked in the direction of the admit desk only to be treated to a vision of Abby chewing on her pen while overlooking a chart. She made his heart skip a beat and there were birds flying around his stomach crashing into one another. Susan was right; he had to tell her before he went crazy. He couldn't believe how arrogantly he had behaved with her the night before. He had to find some way to make it up to her.
Suddenly Abby looked up aware that someone was staring at her from the entranceway. When she discovered it was Carter she felt a wave of fever flash over her body. She looked quickly down at the floor and then up at him again. She raised one eyebrow and tried to display an overall feeling of annoyance at having caught him staring at her but she didn't think he was falling for it. God I hope he didn't see me blush like an idiot, she thought to herself. She grabbed up a chart and strode off down the hallway to look after a patient. That was what she was working there for wasn't it? Not to go all gah-gah over a certain arrogant doctor. Despite this she couldn't help smiling to herself as she went out of his range of vision. He looked so cute standing there with his mouth open.
Carter snapped back to attention when he heard the ambulance sirens getting closer. He took one last look at Abby as she disappeared down the hallway and he thought he could see her shaking her head. He really didn't mean to stare. It was just difficult not to. She consumed him like no woman ever had.
The day passed rather uneventfully and Carter was glad when his shift had ended. He decided to do something about this whole Abby situation tonight. He entered the lounge half expecting for her to be there waiting for him. He tried to hide his disappointment when he found only Malik munching on a bag of Fritos.
"Hey Carter, long day?"
"You could say that, yeah. When are you off Malik?"
"Oh I've got another couple hours to go man. At least my break just started though. You have a hot date tonight?"
Carter grunted. "Ahh. No, I do not. I have no specific plans for the evening, just something important I need to do."
" I hear that, well listen get it done before you crash Carter. You look so beat you just might crash and burn before you get there."
Carter smiled and tossed his bag over his shoulder. " Wish me luck that I don't crash and burn before I get there. I'll need it."
"Alright. Later Dr. Carter. Have a good night." Malik gave him a peace sign and a huge grin over his bag of corn chips.
Carter went to open the door of the lounge but stopped in his tracks with his hand on the door handle. He tried to sound casual.
"Ahh, by the way, Malik do you happen to know where Abby is?"
Malik's grin spread quickly over his face. "Is that the something important you need to do?"
Carter blushed wildly and looked down at the floor. "No. I was just wondering where she went I know she was supposed to get off this hour."
Malik snickered "Umm yeah, she and Chuny went to the movies I think. I overheard them talking about some chick flick they wanted to see at the Majestic. That was about 15 minutes ago."
" Thanks Malik."
"No problem."
As he turned to go Carter heard Malik call his attention back into the lounge again. " I just want to say that I really hope you don't crash and burn with Abby. She is one feisty woman so watch yourself!"
"Yeah. Yeah she is, and I will. Thanks for the words of advice." Carter laughed and shook his head. He headed out of the hospital 25 minutes after he should have been released. Some days you just can't leave this place he thought to himself. He was glad to have decided to get things off his chest as soon as possible. He just hoped that he could do it once he came face to face with the "feisty" brunette.