Carter picked up the bottle of aspirin he had and he downed the recommended dosage. His head was throbbing from the killer hangover he had from last night. He got up and showered and smoothed his hair back with some gel. He decided to go dig through the depths of his closet for his tuxedo which he had hidden somewhere. He found it and hung it on a doorway. Just then, the phone rang.

"Hello?" he answered, picking up the phone. "Lucy. Why this is an unexpected surprise."

"You don't sound like it's very unexpected."

"Sorry," he grinned.

"Carter, stop smiling. I know you're smiling. Anyway, I'm out by the hospital. I don't want anyone eavesdropping on my calls, you know. Well, I'm calling you on my cell phone and I just wanted to tell you that I'll be looking forward to seeing you tonight. I really am."

"Really?" he replied.

"Yes, really. Don't be gloating about it for months like I know you will."

"All right."

"WHAT?! KERRY, I CAN'T HEAR YOU! OK! I gotta go."

"Ow!" Carter muttered, rubbing his ear. "Alright. Bye. See you later, Lucy."

"Okay."

He clicked the phone off and danced around joyfully. He plopped himself by the television and channel surfed until he stopped on a Discovery Channel show about the Emergency Room. Grinning to himself, he made himself a bowl of microwavable popcorn and watched the show.

About an hour later, Carter had re-showered, deodorized, re-gelled his hair, and put on the tuxedo. As he tightened his tie, he thought about Lucy. He closed and locked his door and left for Lucy's house.

Lucy checked in the mirror for the forty-second time and fixed her mascara, eye shadow, and lipstick.

"God, why am I getting so nervous over a date with Carter?" she muttered.

The doorbell rang a second later and she answered the door to see Carter standing there, a perfect reflection of a gentleman, holding a bouquet of roses and his hair smoothed back with gel.

"These are for you, Lucy," he stated as he presented her the bouquet.

"Thank you. I'll go put these in water."

She was the most delicate creature in Carter's eyes. Her hair was gracefully swept up into a bun with a few loose curls dangling by her radiant cheeks. Her eyes shone with brightness and her face was colorful and lively. The gown was a light shade of blue and the silk completely draped over her body. It was a very beautiful gown but even more beautiful when worn by her. She came back a moment later, with her hands slightly wet. He took her arm gently and led her out to the porch to reveal that he had a wondrous, magnificent white limousine outside waiting for them.

She gasped lightly and he held her hand as he led her into the vehicle. The chauffeur drove smoothly and she could hardly feel a bump when they drove over Chicago's famed potholes. She laughed lightly at the feeling of it and when they arrived, Carter got out and helped her out like a gentleman.

They were approached and Lucy feared that he hadn't made the reservations like he had earlier claimed. It was just the Maitre'd awaiting to lead them to their seats. It was a private booth and Lucy wondered in her head how he would ever have the money to pay for this. Unlike popular belief, doctors weren't all that rich. Not the ER doctors where they worked, anyway.

"What would you like?" asked the garcon politely.

"I would like the filet mignon, please," proclaimed Carter quickly.

"I would like the Chicken Alfredo and salad, please," answered Lucy, thoughtfully after her eyes had scanned down the menu.

When the waiter left, there was a man who lit the solitary white candle in the middle of their table. Lucy toyed with her napkin nervously while Carter scanned around the restaurant.

"Carter, why did you ask me out?" she asked, bluntly yet kindly.

"Because you're a very beautiful person and you deserve to be taken out," he answered.

"Why me, though? Why not Abby?" she inquired further.

"Because I don't like Abby. I like you and if that's not much of an answer for you, I'm sorry but that's the only answer I have."

She decided to quit asking about why he asked her out although the thought still crossed her mind every so often. They had a bit of light chatter and when their conversation came to a pause, their dishes arrived. While they ate, they were a little more open and they talked about the hospital, as strange a subject as that may be.

"Kerry's not all that she seems to be," Carter replied, laughing.

"Really? I always thought she was kind of mean," Lucy answered.

"Strict, yes. Mean, kind of."

"Kind of?" laughed Lucy.

As the end of the night drew to a close, Carter helped Lucy to her doorstep and it was kind of an odd moment because even though it was February, neither of them were cold as they stood on her porch for a few moments.

"Good night, Carter."

"Good night, Lucy."

Their breaths mingled together quietly as their faces drew closer. It was an awkward moment as the former teacher/student relationship faded away to reveal something deeper. In a swift movement, Carter pressed his lips gingerly against hers and as the slight taste of bubble gum lip gloss crossed his mind (and taste buds), he laughed.

"Sorry, Lucy."

"Don't be," she answered as she pulled him in for another kiss. As she left to go inside, Carter licked his lips and tasted the artificial bubble gum flavoring. He laughed as he got into the limousine and headed home. That would be a kiss he would never forget.