Once again, thanks for all the fabulous feedback. I've really been trying
to preserve the characters and make sure that the only similarities between
the Carter and Abby of fanfic and the Carter and Abby of the show are their
names. Hope you enjoy part 3! As usual, all characters are property of
Warner Bros., Constant C, and all those other Hollywood types. Please R&R!
Abby groaned as she threw yet another top onto the "No" pile on her chair that was quickly growing larger. She had never agonized so much over what to wear on a date before. A glance at the clock told her that she better quit agonizing and hurry up and pick something to wear before John got there. Sifting through her closet, Abby began to worry. Why was she so concerned about this date? As if the answer wasn't obvious enough. She was scared because it was with John Carter. John Carter, her best friend. She had to make sure he wouldn't decide that moving their relationship beyond friendship wasn't a mistake.
"No, Abby," she said to herself as she pulled out another top, "this is not a mistake." She pulled the white see-through blouse on over her black camisole and began to button it, surveying herself in the mirror one last time.
John paused outside Abby's door. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"This is it, John," he thought to himself. "No turning back." He smoothed his shirt, took another deep breath, and gave two sharp knocks on the door.
Abby's head popped up when she heard the two distinct knocks on her door.
"Oh, God, he's here," she thought. "Maybe he'll just go away if I don't open the door." John knocked again. "Or not," Abby thought and she went to answer the door. She undid all the locks and pulled the door open to reveal John Carter standing there in khaki pants and a black shirt that was just tight enough around his biceps to show that he had been working out.
"Hi," Abby said, he heart racing just from anticipation.
"You look beautiful," John said, handing her a bouquet of dried flowers.
"Thanks," Abby said, taking the flowers. She couldn't believe that he remembered that she preferred dried flowers to fresh ones. "Come in," she said, opening the door wider. "Just let me get my jacket." Carter stepped into her apartment and stuck his hand nervously in his pockets.
"Did you get a haircut?" Abby asked as she grabbed her jacket out of the closet.
"Uh, yeah," John replied, nervously running a hand through his short hair.
"If you cut your hair every time we go out, you're gonna be bald pretty soon," Abby joked as she grabbed her purse.
"Only because I know you like bald guys," Carter grinned, remembering their conversation about Mark. Abby gave a short, nervous laugh as she joined him by the door.
"Ready?" John asked. What a question. Ready for what? A date? A relationship? A lifetime together? Despite all her apprehensions, Abby heard herself saying,
"Yes."
"Alright, then," Carter said smiling and offering Abby his hand, "let's go." Abby took his hand and they walked out the door. As she shut the door she said,
"There's not going to be a limo waiting outside, is there?" John laughed.
"No. This time I promise things will be a little more low key."
"Not that I didn't have fun at the ball," Abby said as they walked down the stairs, "but the tux and the dress and the receiving line and the limo were all a bit overwhelming."
"Tonight's just you and me," John said as they walked out onto the sidewalk. "I assume Jeeps are ok, though," he said as they walked to his car.
"Jeeps are great," Abby said as he held the car door open for her. John just smiled back and then shut the door to walk around to the driver's side. "So far so good," she thought.
Half an hour later, John and Abby were seated at a table overlooking the river. They sat there nervously as they waited for the waiter to bring them their drinks. Neither wanted to be the first to speak so, instead, both of them kept on looking up at the other, but as soon as their eyes met, they looked away. Needing to break the silence, Abby tried to start a conversation.
"You know, I've always wanted to come here, but I've never really had the occasion to." Relieved that they had something to talk about, Carter smiled and said,
"Really? Well, I hope this qualifies as a good occasion."
"Oh, it does," Abby flirted, sipping her water. Why was this so hard? They could usually talk to each other about everything. John had to say something.
"Abby, I-" Before he could even finish his sentence, the waiter returned.
"Here, we have a club soda with lime for the lady and a coke for the gentleman," the young man said, setting down their drinks. "Have you decided on you meals tonight?" John looked at Abby and she nodded yes. The waiter turned to her.
"I'll have a house salad and the salmon special, please," she said handing the waiter her menu.
"Excellent choices," he said, writing her order down. "And for you, sir?" John furrowed his brow, looked back at his menu, and finally said,
"I'll have a Caesar Salad and the roast chicken."'
"Alright," the waiter said, closing his notepad and taking John's menu. "I'll put these right in." John and Abby smiled at him and then smiled back at each other.
"I didn't know things could get so complicated ordering chicken," Abby teased, referring to John's apparent confliction over what to order.
"Oh, it was a very difficult decision," John replied.
"Really?"
"Yeah. I mean, when it comes down to your roast chicken and your veal," John said, feigning seriousness, "things get really tough."
"Oh, I believe you," Abby joked. She snorted when she couldn't suppress her laughter any more and soon they were both laughing so hard that there were tears falling from Abby's eyes. Having gotten over their apprehensions and reached the comfort level where they could just be themselves, their usual banter continued all through dinner. When they got their coffee things fell silent again. Abby sat staring at John, idly stirring her coffee. Noticing that she was staring at him, John asked,
"What?" Shaken from her trance, Abby looked away.
"Nothing," she shook her head.
"No, really, what?"
"You really want to know what I was thinking?"
"Yeah," John nodded his head.
"I was thinking that I don't know," Abby said. Propping one elbow up on the table and resting her chin in her hand, she continued. "I mean, I don't know, I don't know how to do this. I don't know . . . ."
"Abby, Abby," John cut her off, reaching across the table and taking both of her hands in his. "It doesn't have to be so complicated."
"Things haven't always been complicated between us?" she asked incredulously.
"Well," John shrugged, "then they certainly don't have to be more complicated. I mean, we shouldn't go on trying so hard. There's nothing to prove. We're already friends so it's not about forming an opinion of each other, we already have one. A good one," he added. Abby blushed. "Look, I'm not going to force some relationship on you that you're not completely ready for, but I think-"
"No," Abby cut him off, "I am ready. I want this. I want there to be an . . . us." Carter grinned.
"Me too," he said, kissing her hand. Abby's whole body tingled as he did. She had never felt this way about anyone, not even Richard when they were first together. This was something completely new and she was pretty sure that John felt the same way.
After paying the bill, John said,
"I'm not quite ready to take you home just yet."
"You're not?" Abby asked as he helped her up from her chair.
"Would you like to go for a walk?" he asked, indicating that they should walk along the river.
"Sure," Abby smiled as she slipped on her jacket. As they walked out of the restaurant, John slipped his hand into hers. Their fingers intertwined and they headed down towards the river. They walked in blissful silence for a while before Abby said,
"I'm glad we're finally here, John."
"I am too, Abby," he said, giving her hand a squeeze. "I am too." They continued walking until they reached their usual bench by the river.
"How'd we end up here?" Abby asked with a mix of joy and disbelief.
"Must be some magnetic force drawing us here."
"You think we can officially call it our bench now?"
"Oh, I'm sure we can," John said as they sat down. He hesitated for a moment before he draped his arm around Abby's shoulder and he smiled at how nicely she fit next to his body as she moved closer to him.
"It's getting a little cool out here," she said softly.
"Oh, I dunno," John said. "I think I'm still recovering from yesterday's heat stroke."
"God, I can't believe that was only yesterday," Abby said. John sighed.
"I know. So much had happened."
"You were right," Abby said.
"When?"
"When you stood right there and told me I wasn't over Luka." John shifted his body a little uncomfortably. "I mean, I was over him, but I wasn't ready for this and I just didn't want to admit it," Abby continued.
"Well, I wasn't really that understanding."
"No, you weren't!" Abby laughed, gently poking him in the ribs.
"But I was upset that you still cared so much about him . . . and I didn't only want a part of you while he got another part. I knew it had to be all or nothing with us."
"So you went and started going out with Susan?" Abby chided.
"Hey! A man's gotta to something to keep himself sharp!"
"Oh, please."
"Well, all being with her did was show me how much I really wanted to be with you, as if I didn't already know."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, she tell you . . ."
"Tell me what?"
"Uh . . . well she told me to tell you that I was desperately in love with you," John whispered.
"Oh," Abby replied. She was keeping her cool on the outside, but alarms were going off all over her inside. Love! Did he say love? Did he love her? Did she love him? This was too much for their first date. But, deep inside, she knew that these feelings that she had couldn't be anything but love. Tonight was not the night for revealing those feelings though, not yet. It was too soon. She had to be absolutely certain.
"Ready to go?" John asked.
"Yeah." John helped her up and held onto her hand. He stroked her cheek with his other hand and then kissed her. Abby returned the kiss with even more fervor and she could swear that her feet were no longer touching the pavement. They pulled back from the kiss in need of air and smiled at each other. They walked back to the car with their arms around each other and headed back towards Abby's apartment. John walked her to the door and leaned in the doorframe as she undid all the locks.
"Feel safe enough here?" he asked.
"Yeah," Abby said, but Carter knew she was just trying to avoid the question.
"Really?" he pressed. Abby sighed.
"Most of the time."
"Abby, all I'm saying is that I know what it's like to be attacked, alright? I know what you've been through and I'm here for you so if you ever feel scared or need anything you tell me. I'm here for you in every aspect of this relationship, ok?"
"Screw the second date rule," Abby thought as she kissed John square on the lips. The kiss deepened and grew more and more passionate and desperate. Remembering her no turning back rule from earlier that evening, Abby pushed John into her apartment. John pulled back from a second. Were things going to fast? Was this the wrong thing to be doing? As he looked into Abby's sultry and shining eyes, the answer came back as a glaring NO. He drew Abby in for another steaming kiss, this time letting his hands run down to unbutton her shirt. As he felt Abby begin to tug at his own shirt, John pushed the door shut with his foot, immersing them in pure emotion and darkness.
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Abby groaned as she threw yet another top onto the "No" pile on her chair that was quickly growing larger. She had never agonized so much over what to wear on a date before. A glance at the clock told her that she better quit agonizing and hurry up and pick something to wear before John got there. Sifting through her closet, Abby began to worry. Why was she so concerned about this date? As if the answer wasn't obvious enough. She was scared because it was with John Carter. John Carter, her best friend. She had to make sure he wouldn't decide that moving their relationship beyond friendship wasn't a mistake.
"No, Abby," she said to herself as she pulled out another top, "this is not a mistake." She pulled the white see-through blouse on over her black camisole and began to button it, surveying herself in the mirror one last time.
John paused outside Abby's door. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"This is it, John," he thought to himself. "No turning back." He smoothed his shirt, took another deep breath, and gave two sharp knocks on the door.
Abby's head popped up when she heard the two distinct knocks on her door.
"Oh, God, he's here," she thought. "Maybe he'll just go away if I don't open the door." John knocked again. "Or not," Abby thought and she went to answer the door. She undid all the locks and pulled the door open to reveal John Carter standing there in khaki pants and a black shirt that was just tight enough around his biceps to show that he had been working out.
"Hi," Abby said, he heart racing just from anticipation.
"You look beautiful," John said, handing her a bouquet of dried flowers.
"Thanks," Abby said, taking the flowers. She couldn't believe that he remembered that she preferred dried flowers to fresh ones. "Come in," she said, opening the door wider. "Just let me get my jacket." Carter stepped into her apartment and stuck his hand nervously in his pockets.
"Did you get a haircut?" Abby asked as she grabbed her jacket out of the closet.
"Uh, yeah," John replied, nervously running a hand through his short hair.
"If you cut your hair every time we go out, you're gonna be bald pretty soon," Abby joked as she grabbed her purse.
"Only because I know you like bald guys," Carter grinned, remembering their conversation about Mark. Abby gave a short, nervous laugh as she joined him by the door.
"Ready?" John asked. What a question. Ready for what? A date? A relationship? A lifetime together? Despite all her apprehensions, Abby heard herself saying,
"Yes."
"Alright, then," Carter said smiling and offering Abby his hand, "let's go." Abby took his hand and they walked out the door. As she shut the door she said,
"There's not going to be a limo waiting outside, is there?" John laughed.
"No. This time I promise things will be a little more low key."
"Not that I didn't have fun at the ball," Abby said as they walked down the stairs, "but the tux and the dress and the receiving line and the limo were all a bit overwhelming."
"Tonight's just you and me," John said as they walked out onto the sidewalk. "I assume Jeeps are ok, though," he said as they walked to his car.
"Jeeps are great," Abby said as he held the car door open for her. John just smiled back and then shut the door to walk around to the driver's side. "So far so good," she thought.
Half an hour later, John and Abby were seated at a table overlooking the river. They sat there nervously as they waited for the waiter to bring them their drinks. Neither wanted to be the first to speak so, instead, both of them kept on looking up at the other, but as soon as their eyes met, they looked away. Needing to break the silence, Abby tried to start a conversation.
"You know, I've always wanted to come here, but I've never really had the occasion to." Relieved that they had something to talk about, Carter smiled and said,
"Really? Well, I hope this qualifies as a good occasion."
"Oh, it does," Abby flirted, sipping her water. Why was this so hard? They could usually talk to each other about everything. John had to say something.
"Abby, I-" Before he could even finish his sentence, the waiter returned.
"Here, we have a club soda with lime for the lady and a coke for the gentleman," the young man said, setting down their drinks. "Have you decided on you meals tonight?" John looked at Abby and she nodded yes. The waiter turned to her.
"I'll have a house salad and the salmon special, please," she said handing the waiter her menu.
"Excellent choices," he said, writing her order down. "And for you, sir?" John furrowed his brow, looked back at his menu, and finally said,
"I'll have a Caesar Salad and the roast chicken."'
"Alright," the waiter said, closing his notepad and taking John's menu. "I'll put these right in." John and Abby smiled at him and then smiled back at each other.
"I didn't know things could get so complicated ordering chicken," Abby teased, referring to John's apparent confliction over what to order.
"Oh, it was a very difficult decision," John replied.
"Really?"
"Yeah. I mean, when it comes down to your roast chicken and your veal," John said, feigning seriousness, "things get really tough."
"Oh, I believe you," Abby joked. She snorted when she couldn't suppress her laughter any more and soon they were both laughing so hard that there were tears falling from Abby's eyes. Having gotten over their apprehensions and reached the comfort level where they could just be themselves, their usual banter continued all through dinner. When they got their coffee things fell silent again. Abby sat staring at John, idly stirring her coffee. Noticing that she was staring at him, John asked,
"What?" Shaken from her trance, Abby looked away.
"Nothing," she shook her head.
"No, really, what?"
"You really want to know what I was thinking?"
"Yeah," John nodded his head.
"I was thinking that I don't know," Abby said. Propping one elbow up on the table and resting her chin in her hand, she continued. "I mean, I don't know, I don't know how to do this. I don't know . . . ."
"Abby, Abby," John cut her off, reaching across the table and taking both of her hands in his. "It doesn't have to be so complicated."
"Things haven't always been complicated between us?" she asked incredulously.
"Well," John shrugged, "then they certainly don't have to be more complicated. I mean, we shouldn't go on trying so hard. There's nothing to prove. We're already friends so it's not about forming an opinion of each other, we already have one. A good one," he added. Abby blushed. "Look, I'm not going to force some relationship on you that you're not completely ready for, but I think-"
"No," Abby cut him off, "I am ready. I want this. I want there to be an . . . us." Carter grinned.
"Me too," he said, kissing her hand. Abby's whole body tingled as he did. She had never felt this way about anyone, not even Richard when they were first together. This was something completely new and she was pretty sure that John felt the same way.
After paying the bill, John said,
"I'm not quite ready to take you home just yet."
"You're not?" Abby asked as he helped her up from her chair.
"Would you like to go for a walk?" he asked, indicating that they should walk along the river.
"Sure," Abby smiled as she slipped on her jacket. As they walked out of the restaurant, John slipped his hand into hers. Their fingers intertwined and they headed down towards the river. They walked in blissful silence for a while before Abby said,
"I'm glad we're finally here, John."
"I am too, Abby," he said, giving her hand a squeeze. "I am too." They continued walking until they reached their usual bench by the river.
"How'd we end up here?" Abby asked with a mix of joy and disbelief.
"Must be some magnetic force drawing us here."
"You think we can officially call it our bench now?"
"Oh, I'm sure we can," John said as they sat down. He hesitated for a moment before he draped his arm around Abby's shoulder and he smiled at how nicely she fit next to his body as she moved closer to him.
"It's getting a little cool out here," she said softly.
"Oh, I dunno," John said. "I think I'm still recovering from yesterday's heat stroke."
"God, I can't believe that was only yesterday," Abby said. John sighed.
"I know. So much had happened."
"You were right," Abby said.
"When?"
"When you stood right there and told me I wasn't over Luka." John shifted his body a little uncomfortably. "I mean, I was over him, but I wasn't ready for this and I just didn't want to admit it," Abby continued.
"Well, I wasn't really that understanding."
"No, you weren't!" Abby laughed, gently poking him in the ribs.
"But I was upset that you still cared so much about him . . . and I didn't only want a part of you while he got another part. I knew it had to be all or nothing with us."
"So you went and started going out with Susan?" Abby chided.
"Hey! A man's gotta to something to keep himself sharp!"
"Oh, please."
"Well, all being with her did was show me how much I really wanted to be with you, as if I didn't already know."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, she tell you . . ."
"Tell me what?"
"Uh . . . well she told me to tell you that I was desperately in love with you," John whispered.
"Oh," Abby replied. She was keeping her cool on the outside, but alarms were going off all over her inside. Love! Did he say love? Did he love her? Did she love him? This was too much for their first date. But, deep inside, she knew that these feelings that she had couldn't be anything but love. Tonight was not the night for revealing those feelings though, not yet. It was too soon. She had to be absolutely certain.
"Ready to go?" John asked.
"Yeah." John helped her up and held onto her hand. He stroked her cheek with his other hand and then kissed her. Abby returned the kiss with even more fervor and she could swear that her feet were no longer touching the pavement. They pulled back from the kiss in need of air and smiled at each other. They walked back to the car with their arms around each other and headed back towards Abby's apartment. John walked her to the door and leaned in the doorframe as she undid all the locks.
"Feel safe enough here?" he asked.
"Yeah," Abby said, but Carter knew she was just trying to avoid the question.
"Really?" he pressed. Abby sighed.
"Most of the time."
"Abby, all I'm saying is that I know what it's like to be attacked, alright? I know what you've been through and I'm here for you so if you ever feel scared or need anything you tell me. I'm here for you in every aspect of this relationship, ok?"
"Screw the second date rule," Abby thought as she kissed John square on the lips. The kiss deepened and grew more and more passionate and desperate. Remembering her no turning back rule from earlier that evening, Abby pushed John into her apartment. John pulled back from a second. Were things going to fast? Was this the wrong thing to be doing? As he looked into Abby's sultry and shining eyes, the answer came back as a glaring NO. He drew Abby in for another steaming kiss, this time letting his hands run down to unbutton her shirt. As he felt Abby begin to tug at his own shirt, John pushed the door shut with his foot, immersing them in pure emotion and darkness.
If you leave reviews new chapters will come . . .