Disclaimer: I don't own Abby, Carter or any of the ER 'gang'

Dead On Arrival

Carter headed upstairs to get dressed, Abby followed him - she was still unsure of the situation.

'Carter! Tell me what's going on'

'Major pile-up, about 50 casualties, all of which are going to County - they're gonna need all the help they can get. You coming?'

'Well sounds like I'm gonna have to. I'm on in a few hours anyway'

They carried on up the stairs. They got changed as quickly as they could. Within minutes they were in Carters jeep heading toward County. They could see ambulance lights flashing somewhere in front of them.

'I'm not gonna have a chance to have a coffee', Abby whined.

'I think lack of coffee is the least of our problems', he turned to her as he stopped to wait for the green light. They spent a moment in silence staring into each other's eyes.

'Carter! Go'

'Shit! Sorry'

The journey to County took longer than it usually did. When they did arrive they ran into the ER, got rid of their coats and ran back outside to the ambulance bay.

'Glad you're here' Kerry shouted above the background noise.

'I'm not' Abby whispered in Carters ear

Carter was going to whisper something back but he was interrupted by the siren of an incoming ambulance. The paramedics jumped out of the back the ambulance.

'Sorry Kerry, This ones DOA' the paramedic said.

A woman was escorted out of the ambulance, 'this is his wife; she hit her head on the dashboard. She keeps on blacking out on us.'

'Thanks' Kerry shouted at the paramedic as he turned to get back into the ambulance. She turned to Abby, 'Can you take his wife?'

'Oh, she doesn't know about her husband,' the paramedic added as he climbed into the ambulance.

'That's just great' Abby mumbled as she headed inside.

Carter and Kerry stood waiting for the next ambulance. When it pulled up a young girl aged about eight was wheeled out.

'This is Katie. Probable fracture to the left leg, small head injury and a large cut to the right leg. Her parents have just been brought in.'

'I'll take this one Weaver'.

'You do that Carter'

He wheeled her into the trauma room

'Hi Katie, I'm Dr Carter, I'm going to help you'.

'Where's my mum?' She cried

'She's just next door'.

The nurse is looking after her.

'Ok, on my count', Carter looked at the others, 'One, two, three, watch her legs'

'Right then let me take a look at you Katie.'

Abby walked into the trauma room.

'Need any help?'

'Please, can I have some fluids over here.'

About an hour later

Katie had pulled through and was on Paeds. Her mum was staying over night for observations. Carter was ready for a break.

'Coffee?' he asked Abby.

'Definitely, we'd better make a run for it though, if Weaver catches us we'll be on doubles for the rest of the week', she replied only half joking.

'Ready?'

'Yup'

'After three', he looked around, 'three!'

They made it just. Abby was so hard it hurt.

'Come on, before we get caught'.

'Glad I'm not working until tomorrow evening', Carter commented.

'Don't rub it in'

'I'll be nice and warm in my bed.'

'Stop it' she said as she hit him.

'Ow!'

'Don't expect me to kiss it better'

The conversation carried on like this until Abby went to the ladies room. As soon as she'd disappeared from view Weaver walked in.

'Damn it, he thought

He hid behind his menu. Unfortunately Weaver had seen him.

'Carter what time is your shift supposed to start tomorrow?'

'5pm'

'Well, Luka has called in sick - you can stay for another hour until this chaos has cleared then you can cover for him', she turned to leave

'Phew' he thought it wasn't as bad as he had expected.

Weaver turned round, 'Oh and don't forget you have to do your shift too. See you at seven. By the way do you know where Abby is?'

'Nope, I haven't seen her'

Weaver left. Abby appeared from the bar.

'Sounds like you wont be in your warm comfy bed for long'

'You owe me one big time'

'What?'

'I just saved you from Weaver'

'Well, I'm sure I can find something to repay you' she said flirtily

'I bet you can' as he leaned into kiss her

'We'd better go'

'Spoilsport'

'All part of the job description'

She took his hand and walked back across the road.

Most of the patients from the pile-up had minor injuries and were sorted out and sent home, the ER was unusually quiet. Abby took this opportunity to talk with Susan in the lounge; they had a lot to talk about.

'Coffee?' Abby asked

'Yeah please. So when did it happen?'

'What?'

'You and Carter!' she said

'Well, for a while we've been stopping at each others houses and the other evening after my shift Carter invited me round. One thing lead to another and he kissed me and it's kind of gone on from there.'

'That's sweet'

'So are you happy?'

'Very and we've only been together a few days'

'Have you said the momentous words yet?'

'I'm not telling you!' Abby teased

'Come on - it's not like I'm going to tell anyone'

'You did last time'

'Yeah well'

Abby gave in 'On our bench while eating Chinese'

'Oh that's so cute'

'I thought so'

They sat drinking their coffee for a minute in silence. Abby was glad that she'd told someone - she liked Susan, she was a good friend.

Someone walking into the lounge disturbed her train of thought. She looked up to see who it was, she was surprised to see that Susan had gone and no one appeared to be in there with her. Suddenly someone covered her eyes.

'Guess who?'

'Brad Pitt'

'Close', Carter kissed her forehead.

She turned round so they could kiss properly.

'I'm gonna kill Luka'

'Do you want me to keep your bed warm?'

'Well, I don't start until seven, which is when you start so there'll be no need for it. Twenty minutes until this shift ends and we can get some sleep.'

'Ahh, sleep, I don't seem to do a lot of that these days'

'Me neither'

'Looks like reception's filling up again - we'd better go and see to our adoring public'

'You know what would make hospitals great - no patients'

'John you have no idea how many times I've heard people say that'

'I don't care its true'

'Come on', she said before kissing his nose.

They went back to seeing their patients. When Carter was halfway through diagnosing a broken finger, someone called him to the phone.

Carters face dropped when he heard what had happened. He slowly put the phone down and went to find Abby.

'Abby' he called after her

'Carter can this wait?'

'No, not really, it's about Katie's mum.'

'Laura? What about her?'

'She died - brain haemorrhage'

'Um, Ok, I've got to go'

'Abby are you sure your Ok'

'Hmm'

John wasn't convinced but he thought he'd leave her to it. He went back to his patient.

15 Mins Later Carter was looking for Abby - he wanted to go home and get some sleep. He couldn't find her then it occurred to him - the roof. When he reached the stairs to the roof he saw Abby sitting on the top step cuddling her knees.

'Do you think it was my fault?' she said gravely

He just looked at her

'Do you think I could have detected it?'

'I doubt it. Come on lets go. You'll feel better once you're out of this place'.

Abby stood up. Carter watched her slip. He saw her fall.