Chapter 6 Building Bridges

Carter dropped his two dollar bills into the waitresses hands and took his coffee. He took a sip and then walked back outside. He glanced around outside the hospital searching for anyone he knew before going inside. He needed to speak to Abby- and urgently.

Abby looked around for Carter. He had swapped todayÕs shift around with Luka. He must have somewhere to go tonight- I wonder where? She had only been at the hospital an hour but already she was exhausted. They had been rushed off their feet but it was finally quietening down.

ÒHey Abby!Ó
ÒHey CarterÓÓI havenÕt seen you in a whileÓÓYeah- I think we need to talkÓÓSo do IÓ
ÒYou reckon we can escape to Doc Magoos?ÓÓNot really- the lounge do?ÓÓSure- lets hope itÕs emptyÓ

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ÒLuka you really didnÕt have to buy me earringsÓÓDoes that mean you donÕt like them?ÓÓNo I love them really I just- weÕve only been together a few days- itÕs all a bit muchÓÓI missed your birthday- I felt badÓÓYou really didnÕt have to- and you didnÕt even know me on my birthday I was still in PhoenixÓÓI know but I wanted to get you them- they are prettyÓÓIs that what you went to get the other day?ÓÓYeah. I had such a good time that night- and last night. I just thought. Even if we break up or decide its not right- you have something to remind how good it wasÓÓThank you- so muchÓÓIts okayÓ

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ÒWow Susan- great earringsÓÓOh thanksÓ Susan blushed and touched at her earrings once again. She couldnÕt believe Luka had bought her earrings. I mean they had been an item about three days and they hadnÕt even told anyone yet! And she still hadnÕt worked out what her feelins towards Carter were either...
ÒWhere did you get them?ÓÓOh someone bought them for meÓÓReally? WhoÓ
ÒJust somone?ÓÓAhhh so youÕve got a secret admirir?ÓÓItÕs not such a secretÓ

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Susan was still smiling when she walked into the lounge. Carter and Abby were sitting down looking very uncomfotable. He smiled when he saw Susan- she didnÕt even try. Carter she could just about handle this time in the morning, Abby- no way.

ÒSorry if I interupted you- IÕll goÓÓNo- I think were done- right Abby?ÓÓWere done CarterÓ Abby gave a small smile and headed out the door. ÒHey Susan- how do you know my brother?ÓÓItÕs a long storyÓÓThe ER is practicly emptyÓ
ÒI donÕt really want to tell itÓÓCome on- Erik wonÕt tell me anythingÓÓWell thereÕs not much to tell. We dated and he broke my heart- thatÕs about it. Look IÕm sorry but I better goÓ
ÒWait SusanÓ

Carter run put after her looking back only to give Abby a look that said well done. Him and Abby were completely over now and this meant him and Susan had a chance again- but she had been getting really friendly with Luka lately...

ÒSusan! Wait upÓÓHey Carter- Sorry about that I just couldnÕt face talking a bout that to Abby.ÓÓI understand. Hey you wanna go out for dinner tonight?Ó
ÒUmm IÕm sorry but I canÕt- IÕm going out with LukaÓÓOh rightÓÓBut I can do lunch!ÓÓSure- Doc Magoos?ÓÓWhere else Carter?Ó
ÒSee you about 1?ÓÓSureÓ

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Doc Magoos was unusually busy for a lunchtime and Carter found himself waiting for a table. When he finally got one Susan still hadnÕt arrived. He was won dering if she had forgotten and was considering leaving when he saw her rush through the doors.

ÒIÕm so sorry- I got held upÓÓThats alrightÓÓCarter can I ask you something- its kinda personal?ÓÓSure...ÓÓWhat is going on with you and Abby?ÓÓWere overÓÓYou are?ÓÓYeah and I guess thats why I wanted to have lunch with youÓÓWhat- to celebrate!ÓÓHa. No- Susan. I donÕt know how to put this but uh- IÕm still in love with youÓÓYou areÓÓYeahÓÓWow I uh- didnÕt expect that!Ó
ÒWhat do you say- I mean can we give us another go?ÓÓCarter- I didnÕt want to have to tell you like this but me and Luka are kinda- well- togetherÓÓYou and LUKA!?ÓÓYeahÓÓWhy didnÕt you tell meÓÓBecause- itÕs early days. Weve just got together and its going great but we donÕ want to be hospital gossipÓÓMy god- Susan IÕm so sorry but I just donÕt know what to sayÓ
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Luka finally reached the lounge. His legs ached and his back was sore. He took his finger out his mouth to inspect the papaer cut once again- it was still bleeding. He was searching for Susan but he just couldnÕt find her anywhere. He was trying to find out where she wanted to go for dinner tonight but she was no where to be found. He pushed open the door and found Abby siting by the table eating lunch.

ÒYou all aloneÓÓUh-huhÓÓYou havenÕt seen Susan have you?ÓÓI think she went over to Doc Magoos with CarterÓÓWhy arenÕty you with Carter?ÓÕWe broke upÓÓOh- IÕm sorryÓÓDonÕt worry it wasnÕt exactl;y working outÓÓI thought things were going great between youÓÓNo- they were nevrr giht. DonÕt say anything but I think he still has a thing for SusanÓÓFor Susan!?ÓÓYeah- what do you think? Do you reckon she likes him?ÓÓI hope not.Ó
ÒWhat?ÓÓUm me and Susan- were kinda seeing each otherÓ
ÒOh my god sorryÓÓDonÕt worry about itÓ
ÒNo- IÕm really sorry. IÕm sure nothing is going onÓ
ÒI hope notÓÓLuka- donÕt worryÓ
ÒYou know what- I think I might go and find herÓÓOh- okayÓ
ÒByeÓ

Well done Abby youÕve put your foot in it again. Luka and Susan!? The concept just seemed a little weird to her. Luka liked his women vunerable and Susan just seemed a little bit too together and independant for him. But she was great and Luka deserved a bit of happiness- Abby just hoped Carter didnÕt ruin it for him.

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Luka scanned Doc Magoos with his eyes- there was no sign of them at first glance- but it was pretty busy in here. He pushed through the crowds and eventually found them sitting at a table in the corner. He felt uncomfortable iterupting them like this but he had to make sure nothing was happening.

ÒUh Luka- hiÓÓHi sorry I didnÕt mean to interupt I just need a quick wordÓÕOh uh- okÓÓIm going- I think you two should be the ones having lunch together. And Luka- look after her. Shes a great womanÓÓThank you Carter I willÓ
ÒSorry I told himÓÕItÕs okay I told AbbyÓÓYou did?ÓÓYeah- you mindÓÓNo- not at all just- I dunnoÓÓWe still on for tonight?ÓÓSure- where are we gonna go?ÓÓIÕm not sure- we could go for a meal?ÓÓUmm- I donÕ;t think IÕm in the mood to be honest. You wanna come round mine and watch a video?ÓÓSure- we can get takeoutÓÓSounds great but only if its chinese!ÓÓIÕll bring the takeoutÓÓOkay come round mine about 6?ÓÓSure- I better get going. Kerry will kill me.ÓÓI think I better get back tooÓ
They both got up from the table Susan l;eft her money and then Luka entwined his fingers with hers.

ÒWere going public?ÓÓWhy notÓ

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Carter was in a bad mood. Susan had turned him down completely and revealed she was in a relationship with Luka and he was dreading seeing Abby. He was pretty sure that she hadnÕt really wanted things to end and he was scared her heart was now broken courtesy of him. He never eneded relationships and this was why- he hated being the bad guy. reat- there she was. She seemed to feel the same way though and carefully disapered into an exam room. Carter let out a sigh of relief.Now all he had to dowas get through today without bumping into her or the two people walking towards him holding hands and very much in love. This day was just getting better and better...

ÒCarter!ÓWhat did Abby want now. He really couldnÕt handle all this right now. All he wanted to dowas get home and into his bed. He jut didÕnÕt want to have to think about Abby or Susan or Luka anymore- he had had enough. But he couldnÕt just ignore her and so he forced a fake smile onto his face and turned around slowly to face her.
ÒHeyÓÓYou know about LUka and SusanÓÓYeah- I think everyone doesÓÓAre you okay about it?ÓÓWhy shouldnÕt I beÓÓBecause you like her Carter- everyone can see thatÓÓLook Abby I really have to goÓÕOkay- IÕl speak to you laterÓÓYeah- maybeÓ

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