-The reason I survive - JC/AD
TIMELINE: Post season 6.
FEEDBACK: I'd love to get feedback. Criticism, advice, praiseg … This is my first real ER fic, so, I'd love to know what you think. So….please review! J
DISCLAIMER: As much as I'd like to, I don't own any of the mentioned characters. They are the property of Michael Crichton, John Wells, Jack Orman, Warner Brothers, Amblin Entertainment, NBC… and pretty much everyone besides me. =(
PART 3
Pick up, or let fall?
...
Well, pick up of course! What a question! Carter couldn't believe he'd even consider not answering. He crawled out of the daze he was in, between sleeping and waking, and reached for his phone.
'John Carter' he said in a sleepy voice.
'Hey, sleepyhead' cheered Anna 'And, sorry, didn't mean to wake you.'
'Well I'm only human, I need sleep. What took you so long anyway?'
'My plane got delayed 'cause of damn weather conditions, but um...'
There was a knock on Carter's door.
'Wait a second' he excused himself, 'there's someone at the door.'
He opened it, and there she was, all smiles, standing before him. He stopped dead in his tracks and dropped his phone on the carpeted floor.
'...I'm here!'
She instantly dropped her duffel bag and pulled Carter into a hug. She was holding him like she'd never let him go. She'd missed him so much! His touch, his embrace, his scent... everything. All those tiny insignificant details that take more importance with every second spent apart from the other. And as tears threatened to start rolling she tightened her fist around her mobile as if to hold them back.
John had trouble believing his own eyes, and his heart was beating so fast he could easily forget to breathe. He didn't expect to see her there, and then, but he wouldn't change one bit of this moment for the world. It had been so long since he'd felt this good... In fact, he didn't recall having *ever* felt such joy. Was it the surprise, the relief, or sheer happiness? Oh, hell, what difference? He was too glad to think properly anyway.
A stranger would have thought they were a couple, seeing them like that, and they sure did look as close as one.
'Jesus, Anna... I've missed you so much!' whispered Carter to her ear.
'I know...' Her emotions got the better of her as she let a couple of tears stream down her cheeks. 'And I've missed you too...'
John gently broke the hug and explored her face as if to engrave her every feature forever in his memory.
He wiped her tears away and asked softly 'So, how are you?'
'So much better now that I'm here!'
John looked down. 'Yeah, I... wish you wouldn't have seen me here...' he mumbled.
'Oh, it's okay, John...' Anna started comprehensively.
But he didn't want to talk about it. Not now, anyway.
So, he changed topics. 'Let's get you and your bag out of the hall before someone sees us, come on in...'
And as he spoke the words he grabbed Anna's bag and took it inside his room before carefully closing the door so it wouldn't make too much noise.
He turned around to see her stifle a yawn.
'Long night, huh?'
'Yeah, sorry' she apologized.
'Eh, it's okay. I have to be up at 9 tomorrow anyway, we can talk later. And uh... you can take the bed, I'll sleep on the floor' he offered.
'Oh, I wouldn't want to dis-' she started
'Sure! You've been on a plane the whole night, now get some decent rest!' commanded Carter jokingly.
'Yes, sir!' Anna chuckled. 'Sleeping bag?'
'Yeah I could use one!'
-
Five minutes later, they both lay there awake thinking through the events of the day. If anyone had told John Carter ten hours ago that he would be reunited with Anna Del Amico that same night, he would have laughed at their face. But there they were, breathing the same air, in the same room, in the same city, when neither of them would have thought it possible.
Anna was just thankful she'd found him, and he'd been so kind to her. She'd feared he would reject her upon arrival and throw in her face all the things she'd done to him that probably hurt him more than she would ever know. But none of it had happened. Instead she found the ever-so-caring kind-hearted man she remembered from just two years ago. No bitterness. No hatred. Only the immense genuineness he'd always showed toward her.
Carter was so glad that Anna was there, maybe even happy. Of course they'd have to talk about certain things in the morning, but he wasn't afraid of the truth as it was anymore. He knew he could tell her anything without having to feel ashamed. During all that time she was gone he'd almost forgotten how easy to talk to she'd always been. And of course he got hurt when she left, and maybe somehow that's where all his troubles originated from, but now she was here, and it was like none of it mattered anymore. And he perfectly knew there was no way anything could ever be taken back, but he forgave. Or at least he wanted to believe he did.
There both their minds found the peacefulness they'd been missing and longing for over the past few months, and sleep could come easy...
-
'John? John?' Anna called. No response. 'CARTER!'
'What??!' John immediately leapt up.
'You snore!' chided Anna throwing a pillow at him.
'Do not!' he protested.
'Yuh-uh... Anyway,' she started awkwardly 'it's 8.30 and, you said you had to be up at 9, so...'
'So you figured you'd take my sleepy mind off my rosy dreams.'
'Sorry'
'Nah, just kidding, thanks' he said as he got out from Anna's sleeping bag. 'Slept well?'
'Like a baby.' She smiled.
'Okay, good' He nervously scratched the back of his head. 'I'd offer you breakfast but, uh...'
'It's okay' Anna nodded.
'And uh... You better stay in here till around lunch time. The halls are pretty much deserted then, and you don't wanna be seen...' he explained.
'No prob...' she nodded again.
She wasn't sure now was the right time to ask the following question, but they'd have to talk about their respective issues some time anyway, so she did.
'So, umm, you're almost finished here?'
'Yeah, just another three weeks and I'm out.'
'Oh, good. I figured so...'
John looked at her, surprised. 'You figured so?'
Anna avoided his eyes and fiddled with her hands nervously. 'Yeah, 'cause... you start the sessions at 9, and beginners start at 7...'
John wasn't thinking straight, what she had just said had almost shocked him, and he was at a loss for words, so he just sighed in disbelief.
Anna took a deep breath in and looked up straight in his eyes.
'I...I know this place, John...'
To be continued…