Okay this is kind of a bridging boring chapter, the next one is much better (I hope) and it's where the lubiness really kicks in. Woot!

Chapter 4

"Luka, finger lac, exam two" Kerry threw a chart at him as he approached admit. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was absolutely shattered. He'd worked solidly for the last 36 hours with only 6 hours break, and had jetlag on top of that. Kerry looked at him, and thought for a moment. The ER really wasn't that busy, the patient could wait another ten minutes. Just as he turned to walk away she took the chart out of his hands again.

"What?" He asked, his voice monotonous.

"Go and sleep, exam three is empty". He sighed with relief.

"Thanks Kerry". She smiled and hobbled off.

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"Dr. Kovac we need you, it's building up out there" Connie told him, disturbing his slumber. He forced his eyes open and stepped out into the chaos, having become accustomed to rude awakenings. He glanced at his watch, 3am. His shift was supposed to end at midnight. Saying that he'd been asleep since 11, so he should really help out. He grabbed a chart and went to examine the patient. As he peeled his gloves off sometime later Dr. Weaver looked up at him and then beckoned him over.

"I thought you were off at midnight?" She asked.

"Yeah I thought I'd make up the time I slept for" he shrugged. She shook her head.

"Don't worry about it, you weren't even supposed to be in until Friday, I appreciate your help but you need to go get some rest, you look like hell, and I think you're scaring the patients". He smiled tiredly. "And you can do one last thing before you go, Abby can be discharged". He sighed with relief.

"Thankyou Kerry, I'll be back tomorrow morning". She smiled slightly.

"See you Luka". He crossed into the lounge hurriedly before anyone could grab him and gently bent down to Abby, who was still out on the couch. As he touched her shoulder she gently stirred.

"Hey, sleeping beauty, wake up" he said softly. She rubbed her eyes and opened them, jumping as she saw how close he was. "You can go home, you're discharged" he told her, a smile on his face. That seemed to rouse her.

"Really? Oh great, thanks" she smiled tiredly. He nodded and went to his locker to get his stuff out. "Luka?" She asked tentatively.

"Mmm?" He asked without turning around.

"Thankyou, for everything". He turned and gave her a quick grin.

"You're welcome, now go and get your stuff and change and I'll give you a ride". She shook her head.

"No, you don't have to, I'll be fine". He didn't turn around.

"I wouldn't like you walking through Chicago any day at 3am, least of all today".

"Luka I'm not going to break, I'm fine" she insisted. He turned round exasperatedly.

"Abby! For once in your life just accept my help, would you?" He asked tiredly. She pressed her lips together and glanced away, breaking eye contact. "I'll meet you in here in ten minutes" he said firmly, too tired to be dealing with her independent streak.

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Ten minutes later he smiled as he came into the lounge to find her in her grey scrubs.

"Going back to work so soon?" He grinned. She gave him a withering look and stood up, swinging her satchel over her shoulder and wincing at the pain the action caused. "Careful!" He warned her "You don't want to dislocate it again". She gave a small smile at his concern.

"Stop fussing Luka, can we go now, I want to put some normal clothes on". He chuckled slightly and led her out of the room. His hand on the small of her back was slightly unnerving, but somehow reassuring. "you know." she started as they left the ER "You ruined a very expensive shirt when you cut it off me". He smiled slightly.

"Oh really?"

"Yep, $300, designer it was" she told him seriously. He laughed.

"Yeah, Abby, if you say so".

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"Thanks" Abby said quietly as they pulled up to the curb. She'd grown more and more quiet as the journey had progressed, and now she glanced nervously up at the apartment building.

"Want me to come in?" He asked quietly. She shook her head, not taking her eyes off the building as she opened the door.

"I'll be fine". She finally turned to him. "Besides, you look like hell, you should go home and sleep".

"Thanks" he said sarcastically "You look lovely too". She grinned half- heartedly and pulled her bag out after her.

"Thanks for the ride". He gave her a quick nod and she slammed the door and walked away. He sat at the curb and watched as she hesitated slightly at the door. Then she turned and saw him watching her, and quickly unlocked it before disappearing inside.