Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm eating macaroni and cheese!
Spoilers: I don't know what a spoiler is.
--
John knew was on the other end before he picked up the phone.
"Hi Dave." Carter said with confidence.
"How'd you know it was me?" Dave questioned.
"Lucky guess. So, what's new?"
"How's Ben?"
"He's sleeping. He was wondering where you were."
"Did you lie?"
"Of course."
"I was wondering if I could..."
"How much?"
"Five."
"Hundred?"
"Thousand."
"You owe me."
"I know."
"I'll be right over."
"What about Ben?"
"Um...well, it's not like I can take him with me. Abby's off, she could come over and baby sit or something."
"Good idea."
"See you in a few."
"Bye."
"Bye."
"Carter, wait!"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"No problem. But if I get arrested, I blame you."
"As always."
Carter hung up the phone and dialed Abby's number. He knew it was late, but what the hell, he thought.
"Hello?" A weary voice asked.
"Abby, it's John. I need to ask you a super-big favor. Can you come over here and baby sit for me?"
"Is this some kind of fetish or something?"
"No, no it's an actual kid, I'll explain later. Can you come over here right now."
"Sure, but you owe me."
"Okay."
He hung up. John quietly walked into his bedroom to retrieve his checkbook. He looked at Ben. He looked so peaceful; no wonder Dave liked him so much. Ben started to stir a little so John tiptoed out of the room and shut the door behind him. Carter didn't know what to do so he sat on his couch for fifteen minutes and did nothing until he heard a quiet knock at the door. Carter got up and opened it a crack.
"You gonna let me in or what?" Abby said humorously.
"Yeah." Carter whispered as he let Abby in.
"Ben's in the bedroom, you can help yourself to whatever. He probably won't wake up."
"Are you ever going to explain this to me?"
"Long story, tell you later."
"Yep."
"I'll be back in a little bit."
"Bye."
"Thanks, Abby."
--
Dave was sleeping in his cell when he was awoken by the guard.
"Get up, you posted bail."
Dave sluggishly got up and walked out of the cell. For once, he was actually happy to see Carter.
"Thanks." Dave said
"You owe me plus the five grand."
"I know."
The both walked out of the police station and into Carter's jeep. John started up the car and started driving.
"So you wanna take Ben to your place?" John asked.
"Yeah."
"You're gonna get busted and lose your medical license."
"Yeah." Dave looked out the window, trying to avoid reality.
The drove in silence, it would only be more awkward to say anything.
"We're here." John announced to break the silence.
--
Carter shoved his keys in the door and opened it. Abby was on the couch sleeping. She woke up when they shut the door.
"Ben's in the bedroom." John whispered to Dave. Dave disappeared into John's bedroom.
"You gonna tell me about this?" Abby questioned accusingly.
"Might as well. Okay, long story short: Abuse case came in, mother took Ben from child services, Dave kind of kidnapped him, brought him back here, police arrested him, I called you, I went and bailed him out of jail." Carter said as quickly as possible.
"Kind of?"
"Well, the mother was abusing him and..."
"You're helping him?"
"I'm helping Ben."
"So, what exactly are you going to do with this child?"
"I don't know."