Chapter 2- Sleep

Inside had been hot and stuffy with no ventilation, but outside was almost unbearable. There was no breeze and the sun beat down on them with a vengeance as they made their way out of the ambulance bay. Reporters were still talking with Susan Lewis and a couple of the patients who had been in the ER during the lockdown. Abby felt sorry for Susan who was dead tired, but at the same time, she felt incredibly happy that she and Carter would be able to sneak by without being noticed.

Carter.

Abby looked up into the sun. Carter was looking forward, happily, with the occasional glance back to see that everyone was in some way too preoccupied to notice them.

"We kissed," Abby stated suddenly. 'If he didn't know.' she thought, silently chastising herself for the all too obvious statement. She was still in shock. So many times, she had wanted to kiss him, and so many times she restrained herself from doing so, afraid of the consequences. Once it finally happened, Abby couldn't help feeling that these consequences she had been so afraid of were tricks used to keep her unhappy, and in reality, they were nonexistent. That didn't mean she couldn't be in shock.

"Yeah, I know," the smile on Carter's face became much wider and his brown eyes danced happily at her statement.

"You're taking the El home, right?"

Abby nodded tiredly. "You?"

"Yeah, but actually, I was thinking, maybe we could go and do something," as his said this he ran one hand nervously through his hair and the other seemed to be gesticulating on it's own accord.

Abby smiled. She really wanted to, but she was so tired. Sure they had gotten an hour of sleep, but that wasn't enough for either to feel rested. "John, aren't you tired?"

He was, he wanted to collapse, die or something, just so he could sleep, but his brain was buzzing. He would definitely fight the proverbial losing battle with sleep when he tried. He didn't even want to try. He wanted to go out right then with Abby and start a relationship. Finally, he nodded, elected not to tell Abby that his brain was probably about to explode, and took a seat on one of the benches at the station, which had turned up quite quickly, and to his disappointment.

Abby sat down and leaned her head against his shoulder. Without thinking, he rested his head on hers and situated himself comfortably, so that his arm was around her shoulders. That was how they found themselves earlier, when they woke up still in containment, it was incredibly natural. Carter's thoughts, fears, and worries dissipated into the muggy Chicago air. Abby, who had abandoned her thoughts long ago felt no worries, and in that El station, they drifted off into a peaceful slumber waiting for their train.

*****

"Carter, Abby," a voice whispered sweetly between their bowed heads.

Abby jerked up, banging her head into Carters with a sickening 'thud'. They both cursed under their breaths, and looked ahead.

"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" Susan asked, a bemused smile played on her lips.

Abby rubbed the injured side of her head. "Oh, crap! We fell asleep? We only sat down for a minute, you know, to wait for the El an-"

Susan quieted Abby. "Relax. I wasn't far behind you guys. It was only about ten-fifteen minutes, I think…"

"Oh."

Carter yawned. "Well, I think I'm gonna head home then." He stood up, helped Abby up, and the three boarded the El.

*****

After what seemed like hours, Carter entered the Carter mansion, hot and tired. The cold air attacked him upon entering, but he welcomed it, this air being the coldest he had felt in a while. They had fallen asleep on a bench at the station, how pathetic was that? He couldn't help repeating those words over and over in his mind as he trudged up the stairs and readied himself for bed. Then, finally as he slipped under the light comforter and between the cool, silky sheets, he found his thoughts returning to Abby. She had so often been closed off from people, seldom did she make herself impassible to him, but there were problems she had. Fear being one. In that trauma room, while they waited for the CDC, she had bared her entire soul before him in the simple words "Tell me were going to be ok?" He couldn't help feeling utterly amazed at the changes of one day as he once again drifted off to sleep this time, alone, but with Abby.

*****

Stepping into her darkened apartment, the first thing Abby saw was the blinking red light on her answering machine. With an unexpected sense of urgency, she closed her door and went to check the machine.

"You have…one new message," The mechanic voice stated. "First message sent today at…Seven…thirty… A.M."

She silently prayed that she would soon hear Carter's voice on the answering machine, until she remembered she had been with him all morning.

"Hey Abby, it's mom. I heard about the smallpox thing over at Community General. You still work there right? Well, I just hope you're ok. If I don't get a call from you by ten, I'm going to hop the next train to Chicago."

Abby checked her watch.

10:10.

"Shit!" she cursed under her breath.

If she hadn't fallen asleep, she probably would have been home in time to call Maggie and tell her everything was fine. Feeling tired and defeated, though, not sure why, Abby slumped onto the couch and laid her head against the cushioned back.

"You'd better be on your meds mom, or I swear, I'll have you committed," she told the back of her eyelids before she drifted off to sleep.

Note:

Sorry it took so long to post this. There was a few obstacles (Mainly too many brothers). It would be greatly appreciated if you would read and review for me. Any suggestions as to how I can make the next chapter better would be greatly appreciated.

I also want to thank everyone who read and reviewed the previous chapter, and especially to Cat who has been reading this chapter and reading my rambling E-mails.