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

Authors note: As you may notice, unusually for me, this chapter if from Susan and Carters perspectives.

Past and Present (aka. Epilogue)

* A Year Later *

What can I say? One year later and they're still together. Not that there was any doubt that they wouldn't be but still, they've had their moments. Not fights but temporary lapses of bliss. On the whole, it's quite nauseating how happy they are. I'll put my hands up and admit it now, I'm so very jealous.

The one mishap that sticks in my mind, at the time brought me to tears, not because the story was so tragic but the looks on their faces - they had the entire department walking round miserably for the whole 48 period they were 'apart'. I don't remember why they broke up, but I remember my conversation with Abby vividly - Id walked into the lounge to get a coffee and Abby was sat at the table with tears just streaming down her face.

'What are you doing here your shift doesn't start for 10 minutes?'

'Me and Carter had a fight in Doc's he just stormed out and left me there so I decided to come in early'

'You had a fight? About what?'

'I don't know'

'Are you sure?'

'To be honest, I do know.'

'Go on then'

'Well, I've been having some more family trouble and I didn't tell Carter and he found out and was upset that I didn't tell him'

'He was just being protective, you know what he's like'

'I thought I did but I've never seen him like this'

By this point the tears were coming all over again.

'You mean the world to him, you'll sort it out'

It was one of those things you just expected to happen instantly but, it didn't. I expected them to have sorted it out by their next break, but when it got to the next day and they were both still moping I had to intervene. This meant I had to talk to Carter.

'Carter have you got a minute?'

'Um, not really but go on'

'When are you gonna give it up?'

'What?'

'You and Abby, cant you just kiss and make-up?

With that he just walked off and that was that within the hour the atmosphere in the ER had returned to normal and they were back to making out in spare exam rooms - it's quite funny the naivety of the pair of them - they think we don't know about their 'secret' rendezvous'

It's quite scary how much happier they are now. You can see it in their faces - when one of them goes away the other one pines after them and when the wanderer returns they revert back to their own little blissful world.

But tonight I'm going to find my own little piece of bliss, or at least that's the plan. Just like last year me, Abby, Carter, Malik and Chuny are going to the fireworks but this time we should be joined by Luka, Deb, Pratt, Gallant and most of the other ER staff and if I'm lucky the most eligible bachelors in Chicago. It should be a night to remember, it's a long time since everybody got together.

I turn my attention back to the clock above the door. It's ten past six, my shift finished ten whole minutes ago and I'm still here - I have to go, I'm meeting everyone at eight.



'Night Susan' I called as I left the vortex

'Night Carter'

'8 by the drink stall?'

'Yeah'

At this I jumped into the Jeep.

The journey home was slow, it always seemed to be these days, maybe it was because I had someone waiting for me, at least I was waiting to see someone. I wasn't surprised the traffic was bad, it was the annual firework show, practically the whole of Chicago would be there.

With this thought in mind I got home, not sure of what to expect when I walked through the door.

'Abby, I'm home'

No reply.

'Abby?' I call a little louder

'No need to shout I'm right here'

She padded out of the bathroom wearing my bathrobe with a towel wrapped round her hair.

'That's mine'

'I know but I'm sure you don't mind'

'You sound like a Jedi in Star Wars'

'What?'

'You know, they play mind tricks on people?'

'No'

'Doesn't matter'

'I'd noticed'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Well, the statement mentioned Star Wars for starters'

'What? Star Wars is like part of our culture'

'What sad, deluded culture do you belong to then?'

'What would you know anyway you uncultured swine'

She turned around and walked into the bedroom. I follow her; the banter hasn't finished.

'I don't want to talk to you anymore?'

'Why's that?' I ask, I'm not overly concerned; she still has that mischievous twinkle in her eye.

'You walk in the door, no, 'Hello Abby, how was your day', instead you relate me to some freak in Star Wars and call me uncultured'

I can see that she's trying not to laugh.

I walk up to her, rest my hands on her hips and lean down to kiss her.

She pulls away as I'm millimetres away from her.

'I think not mister. You're not pulling that one on me'

I put my hands up in mock surrender.

'What do I have to do?'

'Its quite simple really, all you have to do is make me a coffee'

'Fair enough'

I walk back through to the kitchen and switch the kettle on. I drum my fingers on the counter while I wait for it to boil.

Abby coughs rather loudly from the doorway. I turn around.

She's wearing an outfit I've never seen before - long black skirt and a blue top.

'Do I look alright?'

I step over to her.

'You look amazing'

I bend down to kiss her again but just like last time she pulls away.

'I haven't had my coffee yet' she whispers

Fortunately, the kettle clicks off at that moment. I pour the coffee and hand it to her.

'You Ok now?'

'Hmm' she mumbles.

She puts the mug back on the counter and puts her hands around my neck.

Third time lucky.

'You make a good cup of coffee'

This time our lips actually make contact before she pulls away.

'What now?'

'It's quarter to eight, we're going to be late'

I grudgingly release her from my hold and grab my coat and keys on the way out.

* 20 minutes later *

'I told you we'd be late'

'So? They probably wont notice'

'That's besides the point'

I see a familiar group of faces in front of us.

'Decided to join us then?'

'Well, we had no better way of spending the evening'

'You flatter us Carter'

'I know, one of my few vices'

'Your getting cocky in your old age'

This sparked various comments from the background.

I put my arm around Abby, she looks up at me, I lean down to kiss her, this time succeeding.

This provokes even more jeers from my so-called friends.

'Will you two give it a rest already?'

'Yeah, you've only been here for 10 minutes and you're already starting on the P.D.A's'

'P.D.A's?'

'Public displays of affection'

'Oh right then'

I can feel Abby shake her head.

'What time do the fireworks start?'

'Half- past'

Abby reaches up and whispers something about being hungry in my ear.

'We're going to get some food; anyone want anything?'

No one was listening - makes my life easier.

We walk over to a hot-dog stall talking about something completely irrelevant.

After buying food we walk over to an unoccupied bench and sit down.

I catch Abby off guard and kiss her again.

'What was that for?'

'You had ketchup on your lips'

'I don't have ketchup'

'Got me. I just couldn't help myself'

She rests her head on my shoulder

We sit in silence for a while waiting for the fireworks to start.

When they do start we remain in our previous positions and watch as they illuminate the sky.

'Love you'

'Love you too'



The end of another fic but I quite liked this one so provided the reviews are Ok I might do a sequel. Anyway, please review, constructive critism is Ok but please no flames. Luv Hna xXx