Something to Cherish
an ER-based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn Solo

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Author's note: You like me, you really like me. Oh, alright, I'm sure it's actually John and Abby who you like, but still, the reviews mean a lot.

Disclaimer: ER and characters all belong to someone far more talented -- and richer -- than me. This story is meant for the amusement enjoyment of fans such as myself.

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Chapter Two

A cool breeze tugged at the blindfold John made Abby put on before they got off the highway. Moving up the steps, she was only slightly assured by the feel of John's arm wrapped around her for guidance.

"This would go a lot faster if I could see where I was going." Abby said, bringing a hand up to move the blindfold.

John playfully slapped her hand away. "Tut, tut. We're almost there, you can be patient a bit longer."

"You of all people know patience isn't one of my strong suits."

"Yes," he planted a kiss on her cheek. "But I love you anyway."

As the steps ended, Abby was happy to feel level ground beneath her feet...until another set of steps began again.

Answering her question before she even voiced it, John whispered close to her ear. "We're almost there."

Though she wouldn't admit it aloud, Abby couldn't deny the rising feeling of excitement. John had obviously put a lot of thought into whatever his plans were. Despite her misgivings about the secrecy -- not to mention the annoyance of actually being blindfolded -- she was touched by his efforts.

Sometimes it was still hard for her to accept that someone would go out of their way to do something nice for her.

"Okay." John stopped and untied the blindfold.

Abby blinked several times, getting used to the absence of cloth. When they had adjusted to the soft light of the evening, she still blinked when she realized where they were.

"We drove around the city so we could come back to a museum that closed three hours ago?"

"This isn't just any museum." John took her hand in his and lead her toward the entrance. "This is the site of our first date."

"That was a non-date, remember?"

He smiled. "It was still special to me."

"We vandalized my ex-husband's girlfriend's car."

"It was unlike any other date I've had."

"Uh-huh. I'm the only woman you've broken the law with?"

"Twice. Don't forget the breaking-and-entering and murder of Luka's fish."

"Speaking of breaking-and-entering..."

John opened the -- apparently unlocked -- door and she stepped into the museum lobby.

He smiled sheepishly. "I told you Gamma had connections.

"Come on." Gently pulling her along behind him, John lead her toward the marble stairway that lead to the second floor exhibit.

"Rocks?" Abby asked, looking up at the exhibit sign. "I figured you'd want to hang with the dinosaurs after hours."

John entered the exhibit and answered over his shoulder, "Maybe next time, but there's something here I think you'll be interested in."

Unable to hide the skepticism from her voice, Abby asked, "You think I'm going to enjoy rocks?"

John stationed himself next to a display and shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, I think there's one rock in particular here you're going to be interested in."

Abby turned, smiling at his continued ambiguity, and watched as he knelt down on one knee. "What are you doing?"

Just as the words left her mouth, she noticed the pedestal next to him. More importantly, she noticed what was standing on the pedestal.

Laying atop the marble stand, where normally a piece of granite or something similar would sit, and surrounded by red rose petals was a small black velvet box.

Inside the black velvet box was a ring.

And not just any ring -- a ring Abby had seen Millicent Carter wear on more than one special occasion.

"What are you doing?" she repeated, taking a shaky step toward him.

John raised his eyebrows and inclined his head toward the ring. "Isn't it kind of obvious?"

Abby smiled in spite of herself and took another step toward him.

"Abby," he began, taking her hand in his when she was within reach. "I love you. Sometimes it feels like I've loved you forever, but I don't think I knew love before you came into my life. Being with you has made me happier than I have ever been."

She smiled, her eyes shining with tears she refused to let fall.

"You and I have seen some of the darkest things this world has to offer and we've experienced some of the good things, too. We both know that neither one of us is perfect, having faced some of the worst and the best together. There is no one I want by my side to face the dark and cherish the good with than you. Abby," he took the ring off the pedestal and held it in offering to her. "Will you marry me?"

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