Hmm this is a long chapter.maybe I should have made it 2 but hey, whatever.

Chapter 3

"I thought I told you to stay out of trouble?" Abby looked up at Carter standing in the door frame and smiled.

"Well I never was one to take advice". He crossed the room and pulled up a stool, perching next to her.

"Luka told me what happened". She sighed and lay back.

"Yeah?". He nodded, his eyes worried.

"Are you okay?" She nodded.

"Broken arm, dislocated shoulder and bruises, I'll mend". He shook his head.

"That's not what I meant". She nodded slowly.

"I know". He sighed slightly, trying to get Abby to admit to being anything but fine was like trying to get blood out of a stone.

"Abby I know what it's like, okay? And I know you are not fine, and I don't care if you don't want to tell me about it, I wish you would but that's okay, you know, as long as you let people help you"

"John I'm fine" she insisted.

"Don't make the same mistake I did" he said softly, a hint of plea in his voice.

"It's different, you were stabbed, Lucy.she died John, it's not the same".

"Just promise me you won't start drinking again or anything" he begged. She immediately broke eye contact, afraid her eyes would give her away. "Abby?"

"I.I promise" she stammered, looking out the window towards admit. He nodded and stood up.

"Okay, I'm around all day if you want me, I'll see you later". He walked out the room and stalked off in his confident stride. Abby watched him go, allowing a few tears to spill down her cheeks. She'd already let him down.

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"Hey, I'm back" Luka whispered into the dark exam room, unsure as to whether she was awake or not. It was only 6pm but after the events of last night she was probably exhausted, so he was surprised when she answered, her voice huskier than normal.

"Hi, are you on already?" He couldn't see her face, because she was turned away from the door, so he went in and round to the other side of the bed. The room was dark but he could tell she was upset by her voice.

"Abby, what's wrong?" He asked gently, squatting down to be level with her face. She shook her head.

"Nothing, I'm fine". He looked at her worriedly.

"Is it the pain?" She shook her head, her eyes closed once more.

"I'm just tired". He frowned at that explanation, if she was that tired she'd be asleep.

"Abby you can talk to me you know, about anything". She nodded, afraid to open her eyes and look at him. "Then talk" he said softly, taking her hand.

"I just want to sleep" she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "That's all". He nodded, almost feeling her exhaustion radiating from her.

"Okay, go to sleep". She opened her eyes, and he could see how much effort it took.

"I can't". He stroked her palm gently.

"Why not?" She looked away from him.

"I keep...every time I go to sleep I see him" she whispered, almost ashamed by this confession. "I just want to sleep" she repeated. He watched her desperately trying to stay awake, too frightened of her dreams to allow herself to sleep.

"It's okay" he said softly "They're just dreams, he can't hurt you, not anymore". She nodded, her face relaxing slightly as her eyes closed again. He thought that maybe she'd fallen asleep before her eyes snapped open again.

"You should go and work" she mumbled, looking down at her lap.

"They'll manage" he shrugged. She shook her head.

"Go.they need you". He knew she was trying to tell him to go away, so he stood up slowly. "Get some sleep Abby, I'll be back later".

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"Dr. Weaver, could I have a word?" She gave a brief nod.

"Sure, welcome back by the way". He nodded.

"Thanks, it's about Abby, can I give her some kind of sleeping tablet?"

"Is she having trouble sleeping?" Kerry asked, sorting through the charts.

"She won't sleep, because she's having dreams, and she's exhausted"

"Well she won't want sleeping pills if she doesn't want to sleep" she pointed out "Have you asked her?" He shook his head. "Well if she says yes then you can give her some, but you have to have her consent". He sighed, knowing she'd never give it.

"Can't I just give her some with her painkillers?" Kerry looked up sharply.

"No! You may not, we don't need any more rule breaking in this ER, you will get her consent or no drugs. Am I clear?" He nodded and walked off.

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Deciding she needed to get up before she fell asleep again, Abby climbed painfully out of bed and walked tentatively to the doorway. She stood there for a few seconds, watching everyone rush by. It was so crazy, how could she ever work there? She understood now why patients seemed so overwhelmed. It was a different place from the eyes of a patient. She began the long trip down to the staff lounge, deciding a coffee was just what she needed to stay awake. She'd only got about ten metres before Luka came out of an exam room ahead of her and spotted her. She sighed. Busted.

"What are you doing out of bed? You should be sleeping". She was barely holding herself up she was so tired. She'd refused the sleeping tablets hours earlier, and Luka's half shift was almost over. "Abby you've only slept 4 hours in 3 days now, you need to rest". She was visibly wilting in front of him, having not planned on being stopped.

"I'm fine". The never ending answer. That was all she ever said. I'm fine. She was clearly anything but fine, she could barely even stand, was fighting to keep her eyes open even whilst she was on her feet. "I need a coffee". He shook his head.

"You need to sleep". She tried to walk past him but he barred her way.

"Luka move" she said tiredly "Please".

"Abby, look at yourself, you're exhausted, you do not need coffee"

"Move out of my way!" She cried, pushing him with all her might. He didn't even sway. She burst into frustrated tears. Luka sighed and allowed her to fall against him, knowing she needed his support.

"Shh, don't cry, come on, I'm sorry". He was practically holding her up. Slowly he began to walk, his hands under her arms, holding her firmly. They went into the lounge and Luka was glad to find it empty. He eased her down onto the couch, tears still running down her cheeks. "Shhh, it's okay Abs, you're just tired, just go to sleep" he said softly, his voice warm and reassuring. She continued to cry into his shirt as he lay her out across the sofa, almost cradling her like a child against his chest. Eventually she began to quieten down and he looked down, knowing she was half asleep already. He was afraid to move, in case she woke again, so he just remained rigid until she was quiet, her breathing slow and calm as she slept. He sat there for almost ten minutes, just to check she was properly out, and then eased her up as he stood up before laying her back down on the couch.