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

Cat and Dog

Abby glanced over at Carter he was talking to Susan, again. A familiar feeling spread through her. She had been feeling this ever since Susan had come back. Before Susan, Carter talked to her, they joked between patients, they met up during breaks, they hid out in empty exam rooms - Ok so they still did that, but not as much. Sure she liked Susan but if things carried on like this it wouldn't be long before she didn't.

'Abby, are you still here?'

'Obviously'

'Hey, no need to bite my head off'

'Sorry Susan, long day'

'It's Ok'

They walked into the lounge

'So what's the deal with you and Carter'

Abby hadn't expected herself to say that.

Susan burst out laughing

'What? Tell me what your laughing at?'

'I can't believe you just said that'

'Why not?'

'Because you know...'

'I know what?'

'Put it this way, from the moment I walked in here I could tell there was something between you. It was like an unwritten rule - nobody touch Carter he's Abby's.'

'Seriously?'

'No offence but I'm not surprised you and Luka broke up'

'What?'

'Abby stop it your not good with the denial'

Abby felt herself blushing.

'It's complicated'

'How?'

'I... uh. don't know'

Abby had to laugh Susan was right.

'Have you ever talked about it?'

'Not really'

'Why not?'

'What is this, the Spanish Inquisition?'

'No - your worst nightmare'

Abby spat out her coffee all over Susan.

'Thanks a lot'

'I'm so.'

Abby couldn't finish her sentence for laughing too hard.

'What's going on in here?'

Abby stopped laughing and turned towards the door. It was Carter that was all she needed.

'I'm so sorry Susan'

'No your not'

'I know - you owe me a coffee'

'What? Well I'm going to get changed'

Abby didn't want to be left alone with Carter or did she? Now would be the perfect opportunity to talk to him but what would she say? What would he say?

'What was that?'

'I wouldn't ask'

'You due a break?'

'I was about ½ an hour ago but then that trauma rolled up.'

'How are you?'

'He's been sent up to the OR. Oh. How am I? I'm um not to bad you know'

'You work to much Carter'

'You think I don't know that. Are you coming?'

'Where?'

'A walk. The river, where else?'

'Let me get my coat'

'Meet you outside'

He walked back out of the lounge hoping to make a clean break for it. Easier said than done but he wasn't going to miss this. It had been a long time since he'd spoken to her properly and he'd missed her. Susan had picked up on this and wouldn't leave him alone but he wasn't just doing this to get her off his back.

He looked up and saw her standing beside him. She had a habit of doing that - or maybe he just daydreamed more than he used to.

'Ready?'

'Yeah'

It wasn't until they got to 'their' bench that Abby broke the silence

'We haven't done this in a long time'

'Things got in the way'

'You don't have to make excuses - I was there remember?'

'Sorry - I'm not sure what to say'

'Why not?'

'Well if I'd said we haven't spoken like this for so long because I didn't like seeing you with Luka then you know?'

'No really I don't'

'Well, you'd be insulted'

'Well you just did and I'm not'

How was he supposed to come back from that? He could admit undying loved but that would make the atmosphere even more tense. He'd dug himself a hole.

'Say something then'

'Like what? I'm not good at this'

'At what?'

'Stop it, you're becoming Susan what with the 20 questions.'

'Has she been digging into you too?'

'Yeah, every spare minute'

They looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

'What's she been saying to you?'

'You don't want to know'

'Sure I do'

'No you don't, really'

'Tell me, please'

'No'

'Meanie'

'Are you going to tell me what she said to you know?'

'No'

'There you go then'

And then the silence came back.

'We better get back'

'Yeah'

Just like the walk to the bench, the walk back was silent.

'What time are you off?'

'7. You?'

'Same'

'Coffee and Pie later then?'

'Um, no, I've got a better idea - I have fridge full of ready meals - want to join me?'

'Is that a good idea?'

'Why wouldn't it be?'

'No reason'

'7 then'

'It's a date'

OMG!!!! It's been a month since I updated any of my fics - how scary!!! For that I apologise. Now its also my turn to ask a favour - I really want to get my fics to a wider audience so if anybody knows of an ER/ Carby website that would be interested in hosting some of my fics can you contact me at - doojit2002@yahoo.co.uk Please review - I can only get better with feedback!! Lv Hna