Chapter 9: Ghosts

Luka was parked outside in his car. He beeped when he saw her and she quickened up her pace. She opened the door and sat down. Luka looked at her before leaning in and kissing her. She wrapped her arms around him pulling him closer towards her. Eventually they parted Luka put one hand of the steering wheel and the other over hers. He pulled away from the hospital and Susan sighed with relief. Then she saw Abby walking up the street away from the hospital. Luka must of seen her too because he looked at Susan and they exchanged glances.

Give her a ride
Luka pulled up to where Abby was walking and i opened my window.

Hey Abby you want a lift?
Uh- no- I donÕt want to cause any trouble

Please- we know how tired you are
Well okay- thanks

Abby opened the door and sat down. She fastened her seatbelt and looked at Luka then me.

You guys are so cute together

Both Luka and Susan smiled not knowing what to say. They knew they were cute together.

You remember where my house is right Luka?
I rememeber

Susan leaned forward and switched on the radio.

Luka what is theis crap you have on!

Hey- I like this crap


Susan sat back and smiled. She wondered where Abby lived and then realised- Erik would be there. Hopefully she wouldnt have to see him but what if she did?The smile was wiped off her face. Luka knew nothing about Erik and her. And she just couldnt face explaing the whole story again. What was she supposed to say? Oh he kissed my sister and broke my heart?

They didnt speak much again before they pulled up outside Abbys apartment. There was no sign of Erik and Susan gave out a sigh of relief. But as Abby got to the door suddenly it swung open and out he came. He looked gorgeous- even better than Susan expected. He was wearing his leasther jacket again and a pair of jeans. He had a crisp white shirt and his smile was broad. He exchanged words with Abby before looking down into the car. He looked At Susan for a while and gave her a sort of half smile. Abby looked into the car as well waving before turning back to once again address Erik.

LetÕs go
Do you know him?
Who?
Erik
Ummm yeah
How do you know him?
Well he lived in Phoenix and I, well we, we kinda dated
You dated!?
Yeah for a long time actually
And you never knew he was AbbyÕs brother?
No- he didnÕt like to talk about his family and I didnÕt know Abby back then anyway- remember
Why did you break up?
Its a long story and to be honest- Id rather not talk about it
Okay. So what are we going to do tonight?
Luka gave Susan a cheeky smile and then leaned forward to kiss her softly on the lips.

Im not all that tired- are you?

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Eric once again felt depressed. He had seen susan with- apparantly- her boyfriend. He was the croatian guy that had picked him and abby up from the airport. She looked happy and he was pleased- she deserved a bit of happiness. Abby looked upset again- she knew something was wrong but she wasnÕt saying much.

Him and Susan were over- they were over a long time ago and he realised that. He just didnt want to have to have it that way. He loved her. Unfortunately for him it didnÕt look like the love was going to be returned by her.

Abby knew something was wrong. Erik was so quiet these days and she was positive it had something to do with Susan. However by the looks Susan and Luka were sharing Erik didnt seem to have a chance.

Erik- are you okay
Yeah- why you ask?
Its just you havent been your normal self since- well since you saw Susan again
I know- its hard thats all.
What happened between you guys?
We dated- for a long time.
Why did you break up?
She saw me kissing her sister
You kissed her sister!?
It was a misunderstanding. Chloe had been drinking- she was in the road I tried to help her and she just kissed me. I pulled awayI didnÕt want to kiss her but Susan saw and never gave me a chance to explain
Do you still love her?
Yes- definately
Then explain


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Susan smiled as she stroked Lukas hair gently. They were curlcled up in her bed and shehad to get up and work- but she just couldnt face it. He looked so peaceful and she didnt want to wake him but the clock beeped once again to tell her it was 7 am and she pushed him gently onto his back.

She got in the shower and then dressed. She put on her make-up and searched the dresser for the earrings he bought her. Finally she found them under a lipsitck and concencer stick and she put them in her ears. Luka was stirring and as he turned again she realised he was awake.

Are you going?
I have to work
Okay- if you have to. I am not working until 6
I finish at 7 but I have tomorrow off
I does start work until 6 again tomorrow so we can do something in the day?
Sure

Susan went too leave the room beofre turning around

I love you Luka

I love you too Susan

Susan was in love with Luka- Carter and Erik were both out of the question now but she still had to deal with them. Her and Erik needed to talk- she knew that. It would be hard but she needed clarity. She needed to be able to clear the air before she could let herself fall in love again. With Carter it was more difficult. There were no words needed in a way. There was nothing between them but at the same time- everything.

She worked hard all morning- there was still no sign of Carter but Abby had informed her he was working tonight instead. She was glad of him not being there- although they needed to talk she concentrated better without him. Conversation with Abby was stifled- Susan presumed it had something to do with Erik- or Carter perhaps- Abby still had a thing for him.

The ER was busy but not as crazy today. Susan saw paitents with only minor prooblems and around lunchtime she found the ER almost deserted. Typical- a sunny day and everyone decides not to hurt themselves- funny, huh? She decided to go toDoc Magoos and grab a coffee and some Pie. She would have liked comapany but there were no suitable friends present at the time. She toyed with the idea of phoning Luka but decided against it and went to Doc Magoos alone.

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Erik sat alone in the almost desrted cafe. His sister loved this place but he had no idea why. He struggled to rememeber the name- Mr Magees? He coudnt rememeber but it was something along those lines. He sipped his coffee- urgh. He was considering leaving to find Abby when a familiar face walked through the door- Susan.

Susan caught his eye and after a long pause headed slowly in his direction. She finally reached histable and he becokened her to take a seat. She slid along the booth until she was directly opposite him.

Hi Susan She mumbled a reply

Susan- I have to tell you something its really important
Ok
That day- when you caught me and Chloe. Well I know I have told you this a million times before but yyou need to listen this time.
Erik just tell me
Look I didnt want to kiss her. She was drunk again- I came to find you and I found her in the road. I pulled her to the side and she started all this crazy talk about loving me and wanting to be with me and then she just- kissed me. I pulled away but by then it was too late
Erik- I donÕt want to hear all this again.
But Susan you have to believe me

Susan had never really listened to Erik before but he seemed vunerable now. She looked into his puppy dog brown eyes and all he seemed was truthful and vunerable and tired- tired of fighting and tired of trying. For the first time she believed him.

Susan I love you still. I never stopped loving you- I never will
And you think I didnÕt love you? It hurt so, so much seeing you kiss Chloe. The pain was almost unbearable- I just cant forget it all
I know- but you broke my heart too Susan

Erik covered Susans hands with his own. A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away with her sleeve. She looked up at Erik.

IÕm a doctor- Im suppossed to cure everything but a broken heart is the only thing I couldnt fix. If there was anything else wrong with me I could fix it- but I couldnt fix what you did.
Susan- do you reckon theres any chance of us again?
No Erik IÕm sorry but there isnt. Maybe you are telling the truth and you didnt kiss Chloe but you still broke my heart and I dont think we can ever go back. I love Luka now
You love that guy?
Yeah I do. Im sorry but I have to move on- Phoenix and you are my past, Luka and Chicago are my future

I love you
I love you too- but this wont work

I know
Your a great guy Erik- youÕll make a girl very happy one day
I just wish that girl could be you
Susan smiled and leaned forward to kis Erik on the Cheek. She stood up shortly followed by him and they hugged. She leaned backwards.

Goodbye Erik
Goodbye Susan Lewis- IÕll miss you
IÕll miss you too
And with that Susan left Doc Magoos. A tear rolled down her cheek again and then she smiled. Finally the past was behind her but the memories still stung. At least finally it was all behind her- he had broken her heart but at least she could be sure it wasnt on purpose. Now she only had Carter to deal with.

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