"Abby

"Abby, wait up" Carter called out to her but it was too late Abby had disappeared after Luka. All he could do now was wait for her to get back to him and hope that the situation didn't get more complicated than it already was. He made his way back to County General

~ ~ ~

"Luka…………..Luka you have to listen to me." Abby grabbed Luka's coat. He turned to face her.

"What?" he said rather sharply. He was surprised to see her.

"I think you should give me a chance to explain things"

"I don't want to hear it." Wasn't it enough she had ended their relationship? What more could she want from him?

"Luka we didn't mean for you to find out this way."

Luka was confused so he decided to go along with Abby, Just what was he not meant to find out.

"It………..it just happened……… I wanted to keep it as just friends but I just couldn't help myself I guess…no that's not an excuse………"

"I see"

"So you see what happened by the riverside was just…bad timing I guess on all our parts. I shouldn't even have been there and Carter…"

Luka decided to take the initiative.

"Some coincidence that you two were at the river at the same time…when I happened to be walking by" Luka added hoping she would reveal more. Obviously it had something to do with Carter and he wanted to find out.

"Are you suggesting we planned this…………Luka I would have never kissed him if I knew you were there."

"You kissed him!!!" Abby noticed Luka's voice raise

She put a hand to her mouth "You didn't see us."

"No I didn't but thanks for telling me everything is starting to make sense now…"

"No it's not like that" she began to protest.

"I don't care how it is Abby, you used me, you took advantage of me ………and for what to get closer to Carter…I should have seen it coming…………..Carter of all people and all that time you told me he was your friend I believed you"

"He was my friend…we didn't expect this to happen…………"

"But it did anyway………………..and then when it suited you, you decided to break up with me."

"Luka

"I think you should go."

"I need………"

"Just go………………"

Abby had no choice but to leave. She had done enough damage to last Luka a lifetime.

~ ~ ~

"I don't expect you to run off in the middle of a shift…"

"I'm sorry…something came up" Abby said distractedly.

"And I suppose you didn't think to tell someone where you were."

"Dr. Weaver………..I don't know what else to say"

"Well you can start by seeing these two patients…now!"

"Okay………"

"Oh and if you see Luka can you tell him that I need to see him about Mr. Granger, he'll know what I'm talking about."

Tell Luka , she would be the last person to see him. She looked down at the clipboard and the glanced up again hoping to see Carter.

~ ~ ~

"I'm sorry if you felt like I intruded or something…but you know it's a free country"

"Dave………..I can't believe this."

"What………….so I saw you guys…doesn't mean I'm gonna spread it round………..although it may cost you" he smirked

"That's it Dave. I mean it." Abby interrupted them.

"Hey you" Dave joked, "I know your secret"

"What?" she snapped at Dave. She was in no mood for his jokes.

"Never mind Carter will fill you in" he walked off.

"We have a problem Carter" Abby said as soon as they were alone

"I know……………um Dave saw us this morning…………not Luka"

"Yeah I wondered who that was because it wasn't Luka"

"You talked to him."

"Yeah."

"You told him about us?"

"Yes I told him."

"How'd he take it?"

"Not good…he was crushed, well I can't say I am surprised……………is um Dave gonna say anything…"

"I hope not because if he does…

"Carter what am I going to do? I thought I did the right thing and now."

"Your having doubts about us."

"I don't know………..it's just that when I saw Luka and how hurt he was……….."

"You said you weren't surprised at his reaction."

"I……I wasn't but I still feel bad about it."

"Do you want me to talk to him?"

"No don't in fact if I were you I would try to avoid him for a few days"

"Well that may be hard to do seeing as we work in the same place"

"Just try okay……….I have to go"

"I'll see you after work then"

"Whatever" Abby muttered

~ ~ ~

"Look Dave all I'm asking is you don't say anything to anyone"

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh someone's got a guilty conscience…"

"Dave!" Carter's patience was wearing really thin with Dave.

"Okay I won't say anything…………but if you push me."

Carter left the lounge hoping he'd convinced Dave not to say anything. How could he have mistaken Dave for Luka? He really was messed up, and to top it all off Abby was having doubts about them. He had to talk to her… And try and be as supportive as possible. He saw Luka talking to Dr. Weaver across the hallway and then Luka's gaze caught his. Carter didn't notice hate or anger in his eyes. Abby was right this guy was totally crushed but what could he do about it? Explain to him that it was a mistake just a stupid kiss and that he wasn't in love with Abby. He just wasn't ready to walk away from it all. "I'm sorry Luka" he said to himself "I really am" then he thought about the possibility of Abby going back to Luka but shrugged it off instantly.

~ ~ ~

At the end of his shift that day Carter waited for Abby to finish but he didn't see her. He did see Luka once or twice and both times he felt uncomfortable. They hadn't yet spoken since he had found out about him and Abby.

"Carter, you of home" Dr. Weaver asked as she approached him.

"Yeah just about"

"Have you seen Abby about?" Carter asked

"Um Sutre room………..I think that's where she is."

"I might just go catch up with her"

~ ~ ~

Carter entered the Sutre room and saw Abby with her back to him. She was busy placing some bandages in a box

"Hey" he said hoping to get her attention.

"Hey" she answered. She still had her back to him.

"I was waiting for you outside. I thought you were finished for the day"

"I'm gonna be here for another hour or so"

"In the sutre room…can't it wait…I mean it's not urgent or anything"

"No…I need to be alone right now"

"Okay…" he headed out of the room slightly hurt but Abby stopped him.

"If you wait five minutes I'll finish here and grab my coat" She smiled slightly at him.

"Sure. I'll be outside whenever you're ready."

Abby tried to regain her composure after Carter had left. She was pretty sure Carter would have seen that's she had been crying, but he hadn't. She was glad at least that way he wouldn't fuss over her or maybe she would have liked it if he did fuss over her. That was what she liked about him the most, he always kept on at her asking her how she was and in the end she caved in like she had jut now. She knew that he didn't do it on purpose it was just the kind of person he was, and her well, she was just a hypocritical two-faced bitch.

~ ~ ~

"Got your coat" Carter greeted Abby in the hallway a few minutes later.

"Yeah" he was smiling at her and Abby couldn't help but smile back

"Has Luka gone yet?" Abby felt like she wouldn't be able to relax if she knew Luka was still in the hospital.

"He left about an hour ago…so um do you wanna go anywhere in particular" Carter was desperate to change the subject as he knew it made Abby uncomfortable.

"I'm not bothered"

"My place."

"Fine" Abby left County General with Carter. She didn't know what they'd end up doing, talking about Luka or discussing how things were between them, anything was better than going home to an empty apartment.

~ ~ ~

Carter's apartment was in pretty good shape. Abby thought as she entered. Well since the last time she's seen it.

"Do you mind if I have a cigarette" she asked.

"You just had one.," he said sitting down on the couch nearby.

"I know but I'm stressed. I can't help myself."

"Okay"

Abby lit up her cigarette and took a long puff as Carter watched her.

"You gonna watch me smoke this damn thing."

"Got nothing better to do…maybe I'll just watch some TV"

"Good idea."

Carter flicked the channels on his remote and tried to watch something but he couldn't seem to take his eyes off Abby

Abby spoke.

"You know I heard from Eric yesterday. I'm sure I told you this but anyway my mother is well I guess she's seeking attention again, nothing major you know the usual tantrums locks herself in the bathroom…………"

"Is she taking her medicine?"

"We wouldn't have all these problems if she took them when she's supposed to, she only ever takes then after she's driven you over the brink which she's probably done to Eric."

"You didn't see her when you went to Florida?"

"No…she was getting special help. Eric set her up on this program for a month…he actually convinced her to go……….she usually refuses any help she gets…I just feel so guilty with Eric having to deal with everything…I mean since we were little we used to always tell each other we were in this together…somehow it became more bearable that way……………."

She stubbed out her cigarette the got up as if to leave the apartment.

"Sorry can I um use your bathroom"

"Yeah, you know where it is"

She gave him a knowing look and headed for the bathroom.

Carter laid his head back on the sofa……….then he heard the phone ring.

"Hello…hi gamma…..hey it's good to hear from you…….me I'm good you know nothing changes……….yeah…………….really…………I would like that when? This Sunday no I don't think I'm working………what's the occasion2 Abby had walked back in the living room

"Yeah that's not a problem gamma I'll be there……….okay right yeah give grandpa my love and I'll see you Sunday" he hung up

"That was my gamma," he said to Abby "I've got to go to this dinner she's having on Sunday."

"Lucky you" Abby saw his expression "Or not so lucky you she added.

"Okay it's just not my thing. I mean I love spending time with gamma, it's a lot of fun but these big gatherings they always turn out to be a lot more than you anticipated it to be."

"Like the charity ball which was no big deal."

"Yeah exactly like that. that's why I don't believe my gamma when she says it's no big deal because when she says five guests she really means five hundred"

"Is it s a special occasion or something?"

"She wouldn't say"

"Well maybe it's just what you need you know a night out"

"Yeah a night out with people I can actually have a decent conversation without falling asleep"

"I'm sure it won't be that bad anyway you told your grandmother you would be there…can't go back on your word now"

"Will you go with me?" Carter hadn't expected to ask Abby to go with him but the words had come out before he had a chance to think about phrasing it right.

"Carter it's a family thing. I wasn't invited"

"Doesn't matter…anyway you haven't met gamma yet, you have to meet her"

"No really I don't think I should…I'm not that much of a family dinner person"

"It's not a family dinner I told you…It's gonna be something completely different trust me I know……look you would really be doing me a huge favour if you came."

"Like I did the last time" Abby said sarcastically.

"Okay don't come then. I'll find someway to entertain myself"

Abby went closer to him.

"I'm just teasing"

"So you'll come"

She nodded sheepishly

But I'm gonna end up regretting it if we end up with a bunch of snobs

"Oh we won't" they both looked at each other and laughed

~ ~ ~

Carter was actually looking forward to Sunday, now that Abby had agreed to go with him that way if he did get bored of the company he knew he could always stare at Abby.

"Earth to Dr. Carter" he recognised Dr. Chen's voice.

"Hey…I'm sorry did you say something

"Uh huh………I need to ask you something"

"Go ahead"

"Well actually I need you to see a patient for me………he's really causing a lot of problems."

"Get a nurse to help."

"John, please………"

"Okay okay give me a minute"

Carter passed Abby on his way to see Dr. Chen's patient

"Oh Carter I was meaning to ask you about Sunday is it formal" Abby asked

Carter looked at her and smiled. He recalled the last charity date that Abby had agreed to go with him and he's forgotten to mention that it was formal."

"It's formal…"

"Okay well at least I have time to pick up a dress" Abby said.

~ ~ ~

Carter was smiling to himself as he walked towards curtain two to see the patient. He drew back the curtain to see Luka tending to a patient.

"I'm sorry…is this Dr. Chen's patient."

"Yes it was, but I'm taking care of it." Luka answered

"Okay its just Debs asked me to look at it."

"And I made it clear that if Weaver isn't around she has to check with whoever's attending"

"Fine" Carter walked away quickly clearly trying to avoid an argument with Luka. Still at least the guy had something to feel good, about his head position.

"Carter" he turned around as he heard his name mentioned. It was Luka

"Yeah"

"You can finish him up when he comes round, I gave him 5 of haldol, that should keep him quite for a while…if you can't handle it you can always get Abby to help. Carter wasn't sure if Luka was having a dig at him

"I'm sure I'll manage…. thanks" Luka walked off.

~ ~ ~

"Haleh I need some help in exam one…Dave's gone on walkabout and there's no one else free"

"Well I'm not a doctor" Haleh said

"I know I was hoping you could help me find someone Where's Dr. Green"

"Not in today………….oh look there's Dr. Kovac" before Abby could say anything Haleh was explaining to Luka that Abby needed some help and also that Malucci had disappeared."

Abby led Luka to trauma three

"I don't know where Dave went.. I mean does he expect me to handle this alone. They both entered trauma three and Dave was there with a stable patient. Luka looked at Abby.

"Where did you get to?" she asked Dave

"I had something to take care of."

"Something that's more important than a patient"

"Well hey come one we all do it I thought you could handle it…she can't handle it " he said looking at Luka who walked off without saying anything.

"Thanks a lot Dave"

"Why what did I do"

"Never mind"

~ ~ ~

"No I don't think so…can I have another look at that green one seeing as you don't have anything affordable in black"

"Sure well we do have this one…. but I don't think it will suit you miss."

"I'll be the judge of that," Abby said as she snatched the dresses of the sales assistant.

So far she had been to several stores looking for a suitable dress to wear to this dinner on Sunday and she'd had no luck and then in the store where she thought she might find something the assistants were trying to put her off. Abby made her way to the changing room. She never knew that looking for a dress would be so hard, but the fact was that she didn't own a single formal dress, last time she's ended up wearing an old bridesmaid's dress that Richard her ex later had a dig at her about, the last thing she'd want was to end up looking like a fool in from to Carter's grandparents. She was actually looking forward to the event.

"Hey Abby"

"Hi Cleo…small world huh" Abby said as she noticed Cleo

"I guess there are only that may bargain shops here in Chicago"

"You shopping for anything in particular" Abby asked.

"Well no………..okay yeah, Peter's planned this surprise for me…he says it's no big deal but I just thought I'd be prepared"

"Yeah" Abby laughed

"That dress looks nice…Luka will love you in that…."Abby stared at Cleo and then looked away, Of course no one really knew That she'd broken up with Luka.

"I'm gonna try this on" Abby said

"Okay see you"

~ ~ ~

While trying on the dresses Abby kept thinking about Luka and the way Cleo had talked about him. She didn't even bother to see which dresses looked better in the end she ended up buying both. She had this sudden urge to leave the shore and just go home. She was feeling nauseous.

~ ~ ~

"Gamma I told you I will be there…yes I will…………………oh yeah I'm bringing someone with me……………………..yeah something like that……….no her names Abby…………………………no just that you make her feel welcome……………….good right well…that's that then………….bye"

His gamma was driving him insane that was the third time she'd phoned today making sure Carter had all the details. This was going to be huge he knew it. He was already late. He was supposed to meet Abby at her place like five minutes ago.

~ ~ ~

Abby sat in he room clutching the two dresses. They were pretty, shame her mood wasn't. Maybe she should try them on, for the sake of it. She's tried the black one first. Had she even brought the right size? She was just pulling straps on the black one when the doorbell rang. Damn Abby though who as it at this time, then she remembered. Carter was coming over.

"Shit" she said she didn't have time to change so she just opened the door.

"Hey………wow Crater saw her in the black dress. Have I come at a bad time."

"No come in…I was just trying these on"

"That really looks good on you"

"Really you're no just saying that because I really want to fit in on Sunday" Carter went to her and looked at her.

"You look absolutely stunning. She looked at him quizzically. After about a few seconds Carter bent down and kissed her softly on the lips, she deepened the kiss and it lasted several seconds before Abby started to un button his shirt. He wasn't going to waste any time. He began to pull the zip down from her dress, they both fell onto the couch still kissing passionately until Abby said

"We should stop"

"Why? Carter said breathing heavily

"I don't know………I don't feel right about this"

"What's there to feel right about………."

"No really…………..I'd like you to spend the night but I'd just rather we didn't, you know

"Okay well" he said buttoning his shirt up "at least I can still do this" He leaned in to kiss her

After several minutes making out in the couch Carter got up.

"I'm gonna get a drink"

"Can you get me one too" Abby called out

"Um Coke or lemonade"

"Coke…she followed him to the kitchen and put her arms around his waist and then kissed his neck.

"I though we were taking a break. I am kinda hungry"

"Oh I know you are" Abby said pulling him in for another long kiss.

"I thought you said this was wrong"

"It is but I don't care!"

~ ~ ~

Carter felt someone kiss him the next morning he rubbed his eyes to see Abby fully dressed leaning down toward him

"I'm gonna go now…I left you breakfast………."

"Why do u have to go?"

"I have to be at work"

"Not for a hour"

"No I need to be in now……….I'll see you" then she left

Carter got up and yawned. Abby had left him breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. He'd never eaten a breakfast cooked by Abby. Carter was still caught up in a daze dreaming of Abby last night. She was so unpredictable sometimes maybe he liked her better that way. Last night she really seemed to want him………….and he wanted her…so why did he still think she might go back to Luka?

~ ~ ~

"Can you take it from here Cleo

"I've got it…you look tired maybe you should get some rest"

"I'm okay" Luka was tired of being asked to get some rest

"I take it you had fun last night"

"I'm sorry" Luka said

"With Abby…she didn't tell me where you were going but I take it was somewhere special"

"I didn't go anywhere last night not that it is any of your business" Luka snapped.

~ ~ ~

So Abby was going somehere last night well not with him. Had to be with Carter. She did seem pretty happy today.

Luka turned around to see Dr. Weaver standing next to him with another woman next to her.

"This is Dr Kovac he's been with us for three years nearly. He sometimes takes over head attending. Luka I'd like you to meet Dr Lewis."

Luka shook her hand

"Nice to meet you" he said

"Likewise so Kerry how many new workers are there now and am I going to see any familiar faces or have they all left"

"Well there you go……………" Susan had already seen Carter and ran up to him. They greeted each other with an appreciated hug

"Susan what are you doing here?" Carter was both shocked and surprised.

"I had a feeling you'd say that…I'm back………….."

"You serious" he looked at Dr. Weaver

"As serious as she'll ever be, she starts today"

Luka observed the scene from afar… Carter was popular with the females in the hospital.

~ ~ ~

Abby was back in the Sutre room that afternoon when she heard Carter's voice outside. She stepped out and saw him talking to someone else. It didn't seem like he was talking to a patient so Abby called out to him.

"Hey Abby……………listen I'd like to introduce you to an old friend of mine…she used to work here and now she's back Abby meet Susan Lewis"

"Hi" Abby said.

"So how many new people work here now" Susan asked Carter.

"There's quite a few…………

Abby decided to leave Carter alone with this Susan woman

"I'll let you guys catch up……….Nice meeting you Susan"

"You too"

"Abby's nice" Carter told Susan when Abby had left.

"Nice huh………is there something your not telling me Carter" she gave him a look he knew too well.

"I'll tell you about it over coffee" They linked arms and headed out of the hospital

~ ~ ~

Abby heard a lot of gossip about Susan Lewis' return to the ER, apparently she'd left a few years ago with her sisters baby to Phoenix and she sort of had a relationship with Mark Green, that was what she's gotten from the nurses alone.

"I mean how do you think Dr. Green will react to seeing her," Chuny was saying to Haleh.

"Shocked would be an understatement"

"So is she back for good………and what'd she do with the baby"

"God knows" Haleh remarked. Abby interrupted them as she had to get behind the admit desk.

"Excuse me, can I just get through"

"You probably don't know her Abby"

"No!" Abby said

"She's nice"

"I'm sure she is," Abby remarked. She was beginning to get a headache

~ ~ ~

"Well she sure is popular"

"Yeah I know although I can't say Weaver used to get on with her. They had some sort of bust up before she left but it seems that it's forgotten"

Abby and Carter were having coffee on Saturday afternoon.

"Won't it be weird of her you know to come back to work someplace where you don't know half the people"

"Susan's always up for a challenge………are you okay?." he had noticed her frown

"Yeah fine"

"Your not fretting about tomorrow because there's no need. I got everything covered"

"No I'm actually looking forward to it. It's been such a hectic week I need to unwind."

Abby noticed Carter staring at her

"Okay what have I got something on my face"

"No!"

"Then what you're giving me that funny look"

"What look?"

"That one just there"

"What can I say you've captured me with your beauty "he put on a highly snobby British accent. Abby couldn't help but laugh

"That ought to work tomorrow to entertain the guests if all else fails"

"We'll have a good time…if not we can always laugh about it later"

~ ~ ~

Sunday had arrived so quickly Abby was hardly on time for anything. She'd given herself over an hour to dress up but she wasn't quiet pleased with how she looked Carter would be here to pick her up soon and she definitely needed to apply some make up and her hair wasn't looking too good either. She observed herself in the mirror and dabbed some lip gloss on

"there" she said satisfied… She actually didn't look too bad. This dress was doing wonders for her figure. She did look okay, that's all she needed. Now for her hair. She needed it so it curled under a little, that was going to be tricky.

~ ~ ~

Carter arrived five minutes early to pick Abby up but she seemed ready

"Hey…okay you look…………"

"Over dressed"

"No…………beautiful"

"Thanks…I'll just get my coat and we can get going. Did I need to bring anything?"

"Nope I got some wine on the way here that should do it"

"Are we going in a limo?"

"No, we've got to settle for my car this time"

"I probably won't be running into Richard again"

"You never know"

"Come one he can't know your grandmother"

"My grandmother knows a lot of people"

They got into the car. Carter was driving

"Your hair looks nice" he commented

"It's not that different

"No I don't think I've seen you with it like this"

"Oh the clip does it look okay?"

"It looks great. They headed of into the night for what may be quite an eventful evening

To be continued