Tell Me Part8





Abby and Chuny left the movie theater in a fit of rowdy laughter. "Girl, did you see how fine that man looked in his tuxedo?" Chuny sucked her teeth and let out a low wolf whistle, "The only suit that would've looked better on him is his birthday suit!" "Yeah I'd definitely pay $8.50 to see that!" Abby tossed her head back and let out a loud hoot as Chuny wiped tears from her eyes. As she cleared her vision, Chuny titled her head to one side and asked, " Hey, have you ever seen that guy in his birthday suit?" Abby flipped her hair out of her eyes and followed the direction in which Chuny had just titled her head. Across the street they could see Carter with his head down and his collar rolled up. Abby started laughing again and then replied. " I haven't ever seen that man in his birthday suit. In fact I don't think I even know who he is." Chuny let out a whoop of laughter and said in conspiring tone, " Oh you know who he is girl, do you think I'm blind? The sexual tension between you two could melt all the snow in Chicago. Why don't you get something going with him already?" Abby was speechless and started to stutter an answer but one look at Chuny's raised eyebrow and she just started laughing all over again.

At the sound of a certain familiar laugh, Carter lifted his head and looked across the street. He saw Abby and Chuny in front of the theater, and it was a good thing because he had been pacing back and forth for nearly two hours waiting for the movie to let out. Apprehensive about Abby's reaction he started to cross the street in their direction, he hoped he looked casual.

"Don't look now Ms. Lockhart but I think your doctor "friend" is paying you a visit." Abby looked across the street and saw Carter walking toward them with a determined, yet frightened look on his face. She wondered to herself, 'what now?'

"Well, well. Dr. Carter, what a surprise to see you here! And what brings you out this fine evening? Looking for a suit?" Chuny couldn't hide the huge grin that spread across her face.

"A suit? No, I wasn't looking for a suit, just taking a walk. I'm glad I ran into you two though." Carter tried to hide the tension in his own voice.

"Oh well that's a shame you were looking for me because I have to run home wouldn't you know? But I do believe that Abby here hasn't any plans for the rest of the evening since she was supposed to hang out with me." Chuny ignored Abby's death stare and started crossing the street. She called back over her shoulder to them. "See you tomorrow Abby, and oh! By the way, Happy Birthday Dr. Carter!"

"Birthday? It isn't my birthday?" Carter looked over at Abby confused and disoriented. "What does she mean? She knows when my birthday is.."

Abby just started laughing all over again and watched Chuny walk off down the street toward the El.

He broke in, "So I find you laughing again."

Abby returned his gaze, she bit her lip and became somber. "Yeah, and I find that you're not. What is the matter Carter?"

"Abby I'm sorry.." He looked into her eyes, at her beautiful face and suddenly he couldn't go on. He just didn't want to feel like this anymore. He thought he could feel her squirming, just itching to get away from him and he felt he was being so selfish expecting her to listen to what he had to say. He tilted his head to the side and let out a sharp sigh.

Abby took in all of the tension she knew he was feeling and when she heard his sigh she reached out and touched his arm gently.

"What is wrong Carter?" She said this softly and with such sincerity that Carter felt his heart leap into his throat.

"Abby, I can't."

This time he heard Abby sigh. Her voice was even softer now, "Just.." He watched as she paused and gave the empty streets a sweeping glance.

"Tell me."

She finished her sentence and sucked in her breath. She searched his face to see if he was going to speak, if he was going to tell her that this tension between them was as unbearable as she felt it was.

Carter considered her and their position. They were on the sidewalk surrounded by empty streets. He knows that his confession is going to echo, not only here but also in his own heart forever, yet he has to go on. He has to tell her how he feels.

"Well following the advice of the good Doctor Lewis, I have to tell you something before I lose my sanity Abigail Lockhart." He took a deep breath and noticed a lock of hair on Abby's head dancing wildly in the cool breeze. He reached out to tame this hair and then brought his hand gently to the side of her face. "I am madly in love with you." He watched for her response and saw only that she was starting to tremble. "Abby?"

She couldn't stop shaking. He took a step closer to her and placed his other hand on her face. He kissed her forehead and then reached out to hold her in his arms. She was still shaking and hadn't said a single word.

He murmured into her hair. " I also have to tell you that she told me I am hopeless. I have to say that I think I agree with her Abby. I am hopeless. Hopeless without you." He pulled her more closely to him and waited for her to say that she was okay. He heard a muffled sigh released into his chest and felt Abby starting to relax in his arms. She tilted her head back to look in his eyes.

"So you discuss this often then do you?" There was laughter shining in her eyes and she was working hard to compose herself and remain casual. She thought she was going to fall on the ground after his words. She hardly knew how she still remained standing.

He matched the laughter he saw in her eyes and said "I do discuss this often, and mostly with myself as I have recently gone out of my mind because of you. You are the best thing to ever happen to me."

"Well I'm glad you've told me that you are crazy John. I never ever knew."

She smiled at him and took in his deep brown eyes that looked lovingly into her own. She felt definite butterflies in her stomach as she glanced down quickly at his lips. They seemed to be getting closer and closer. She only had enough time to look back into his closed eyes before she knew to close her own as he leaned forward and gave her a kiss that rocked her world.