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

Good Place to Start

'You mean Laura's daughter Katie.'

'Yeah'

Carter didn't know what to say.

'Why?' he asked calmly.

'I don't now, it was an impulse thing.'

Carter wasn't sure she was being completely honest.

'I don't mean to pry but are you sure that's really why you do it?'

'Actually no it wasn't', she snapped, 'I went to see her because I felt guilty.'

She stopped to breath.

'And that's the same reason I threw myself down the stairs'.

She didn't want to see his face so she ran. She didn't even stop to pick up a coat.

'Abby wait' he shouted after her.

He knew confronting her was the wrong thing to do.

'Damn you Carter', he scolded himself while shutting the door behind him.

It had started to rain - not a heavy downpour, just a shower but he was glad he had a coat. He didn't know where to start looking for her; unfortunately she had a head start. He had a rough idea where she could be but he couldn't be sure - she wasn't predictable when she was angry. He headed off towards 'their' bench. From some distance he could see Abby, her hair was wet, she was huddled on the bench - she looked very sorry for herself. He slowly walked to the bench and sat down beside her.

'I know you hate me so please don't rub it in by giving me a lecture.'

'First of all I wasn't going to give you a lecture.' He put his hand underneath her chin and lifted her face so she could see her eyes.

'And secondly, I love you, I don't think I could hate you.'

'Damn you Carter.' She thought, those eyes could make her do anything.

She decided the best bet was for her to look away.

'Don't turn away from me' he said with the same tone of voice as before.

'I love you too' she whispered so he could only just hear him.

He kissed her head lightly.

'Tell me what happened'.

'I don't where to start'

'The beginning, maybe'

'Carter, please'

'Let me know what you were feeling, if you let me know I can help'.

She looked at him and then started her story.

'When I found out Laura had died at first I was very shocked. Then I remembered Katie - she was all alone - I suddenly felt guilty, I thought I should have realised the haemorrhage.'

'It probably wouldn't have made a difference'

'I know that now but at the time I was being irrational. Guilt does funny things to the mind. While I was waiting for you to finish your shift I went to the roof for a smoke. I knew you'd be looking for me so I put it out and headed back towards the ER. As I got to the steps I froze - I couldn't face the ER so I sat on the step - I figured you'd come and find me eventually. When you did come, I was all messed up and I just wanted everything to go away, I suddenly thought, if I was unconscious then I wouldn't have to think about it. So I deliberately fell down the stairs. When I got to the bottom you helped me - at the time I didn't want your help.'

'I'm glad I did' he interrupted

'You took me home and I fell asleep instantly, I was exhausted. This morning I woke up hours before the alarm, I couldn't help thinking about the yesterday. I didn't want to go into work but I though I'd better keep busy. The shift was quite busy so I didn't have time to think but then the shift was over. I said goodbye to you but then I realised I didn't want to be alone. My mind centred on Katie again, she was forced to be alone. I felt the sudden urge to see her, so I did. We sat and talked until we both fell asleep. I woke up later realising that you were coming round so I scribbled a note and left'.

'Were you not going to tell me?'

'I don't know - I hadn't thought about that'

He pulled her closer to him. Her head nestled in his chest. They sat silently in the rain.

'Come on'

'Where are we going?'

'To see Katie'

'But..'

'No buts'

They walked to his Jeep outside her building.

'Are you sure you want to do this?' she asked

'You wont be happy until you see her again so why not. I'd also like to see how she's doing - she was my patient.'

She smiled.

'You're too good to me', she said

'I know', he joked.

The drive to the hospital was pretty uneventful. Carter's lame jokes filled the time. When they reached the hospital Abby felt a great weight lift from her chest. They walked towards Katie's room.

'I'm going to see how she is medically' he said pointing at the doctor on duty, 'I'll be in in a minute'.

She nodded and opened the door. She was glad to see that Katie was awake.

'I was waiting for you.'

'Are you Ok?'

'Yup'

'Are you dating the doctor out there?'

Abby wasn't expecting that and didn't know what to say.

'Um, yes I am'

'Do you love him?'

'More than anything'

Abby was glad when Carter walked into the side room. He stepped behind her, placed his hands around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. Abby and Carter stayed with Katie for some time. She was a 'good kid'. She even laughed at Carters jokes. When it was time to leave Abby promised her they'd visit her again.

'Are you Ok now?'

'Yeah'

'Honestly?'

'You love me too much'

'I know and it calls for a celebration'

'What are you on about?'

'Dinner'

'What were you thinking?'

'That my lady is a surprise'

'I'm intrigued'.

When they arrived at the Italian restaurant Abby suddenly felt very small - she was only wearing a shirt and pair of black jeans.

'You look fine', he whispered.

She was going to reply but they were greeted by a waiter.

'Table for two please.'

'Right this way sir'

The waiter led them to a small back table and left them to choose their meal. They pondered over their menus until the waiter came back.

'What wine would you like?'

'Anything white'

'And your meal?'

'The spaghetti for me', Abby said politely.

'Sounds good - I'll have the same thank you'

The waiter took the menus and left them.

They enjoyed the rest of the meal, every now and then they'd offer each other their own food forgetting the fact that they both had the same thing. When they'd finished Carter offered to pay (she had reminded him of his promise) and they left.

In the car park Carter suddenly kissed her on the nose.

'What was that for?'

'You had sauce on your nose'

She doubted it but wasn't going to say anything. She put her hand in his as they walked.

'Thank you'

'What for'

'Everything'

'I could say the same thing to you'

I promise you that's the end of the angst - bring on the fuzz!!! Please keep reviewing. Lv yz - Hna