Knowing You Belong
Disclaimer: I own no characters in this story, except Bart. The rest belong to NBC, Michael Crichton, and Warner Brothers.
(Before anything, I want to say that in this chapter, I have tried to reconcile things with the Carby readers that were somewhat disturbed with my last chapter. This chapter has more insight into how Carter really dealt with this situation with Abby.)
Rachel talks to the two women who knew her father the most.
****
"Hey you. It's about time you get out of bed."
"How have you done this for fifteen years, Elizabeth? The odd hours are killing me."
Elizabeth smiled at her stepdaughter as she sat down across from her at the kitchen table.
"Eh, you will get used to it, I promise. It may take ten years or so, but it does happen eventually. What would you like for breakfast, or should I say lunch?"
"Oh, I'll find something. No need to make a fuss. Some cereal will be perfect. Where's Ella?"
"She went to the zoo with a friend from school and her family. It's so nice outside, I could hardly say no."
Rachel looked outside at the September sky. It was a cloudless, pristine blue.
"So how was your first week, Rachel?"
"Oh, it was fine. I got to help out in a trauma. It wasn't much. I was just bagging a GSW victim, but still, it got the adrenaline pumping. But then the patient died, and I couldn't take it and ran out. Dr. Carter said my reaction was normal, but still-"
"He's right, you know. Pay attention to him. You could learn a lot. He certainly is a good doctor. He had a good teacher."
Rachel's gaze turned away from the British woman, and to her coffee on the table. Elizabeth's comment brought several emotions to the surface that the younger woman had been fighting the past week. A single tear formed in her eyes. She quickly wiped it away and looked back up.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, Yeah I am. I just didn't think it would be quite this hard, but I still remember what he looked like walking around that place. How he took care of things, and dealt with the people." She chuckled quietly in spite of herself. "I still miss him."
"So do I. I felt the same way when I went back to County the first time after your father died. Except I covered my sadness up with bitterness. It took a while for that bitterness to go away completely."
The two women exchanged a reassuring glance, and smiled at one another.
"So, I've been here a week, and still have not gotten the full story on Dr. Romano and Randi. How did that happen?" Rachel felt she had to change the subject or she would completely break down.
"Oh, goodness. That was five years ago, I suspect. Honestly no one knows how they got together, but one day, he walked into the ER and planted a big wet kiss on her, and then proceeded to announce their engagement. The rumors were that it was something about a bet with Dale Edson, or that there had been something going on since she came to County. Anyway, three months later, I was sitting in between John and Susan at the wedding, on the bride's side, I might add. No one sat on the groom's side. It was all quite humorous. Then three months after that, she was pregnant with the triplets, Julianna, Gloria, and Maria. And six months ago, she had little George."
"Wow."
"So what are you planning on doing with your Saturday off?"
"Relax. Maybe go shopping. Do you have to work today?"
"Yes. I'm working a twelve-hour and have to go in at 6:00 tonight, but I have a meeting at 4:00. Ella is staying at her friend's house tonight, so you'll have the place to yourself."
"Okay. Not a problem. I've got some studying I need to get done anyway."
"Yes, but take some time to enjoy life, too. Don't stay cooped up in this house all day. Well, I'm going to go get ready, but I'll let you know when I get ready to leave."
Elizabeth turned to walk out of the kitchen, when Rachel stopped her.
"Elizabeth?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For everything-letting me stay with you, helping me transfer to County, accepting me even though I was far from your favorite person ten years ago."
"Your welcome," a smiling Elizabeth said before resuming her path out of the kitchen.
****
Four and a half hours later, Rachel found herself meandering around one of Chicago's shopping malls. As she looked into the windows, she found herself disgusted with the fact that Christmas decorations were already on display.
*Its not even October yet* she thought to herself as she rolled her eyes and walked away.
She headed for the food court, seeking out some Chinese food to quell her hunger. After she found a place that was to her liking, she got in the order line behind a woman, who, even from the back looked slightly familiar. The woman turned and reached into her purse, allowing Rachel to see part of her face. Instantly, she knew who the woman was.
"Susan Lewis?"
Susan turned and faced her.
"Yes. Do I know you?"
"Dr. Lewis, I'm Rachel. Rachel Greene."
"Oh my God. Rachel? What are you doing here in Chicago?"
"Believe it or not, I'm doing my ER rotation at County."
"You're in med school?"
"Third year. I could only do this rotation at County. So I called Elizabeth, and she helped me transfer and got me into the program."
"Wow. I can't believe that you are old enough to be a third year."
Both women stopped momentarily to order.
"Dr. Carter said the same thing. He also told me that you were the Chief over at Rush. Very impressive."
"Yeah, well, it has its moments. Let's grab a table. It seems we have lots to talk about."
They took their trays, and headed to a fairly isolated table inside the restaurant, so that they could talk without too much background interruptions. Rachel had sweet and sour chicken, while Susan had selected teriyaki shrimp.
"So. Wow, you're a student. People over at County treating you well?" Susan initiated the conversation.
"Oh, yeah. Dr. Carter and Dr. Chen have really taken me under their wing. I don't see Dr. Chen as much, because she is staying home with her baby a lot. But Dr. Carter seems to always be there. I'm beginning to wonder if he ever goes home."
Susan had to laugh at this, because it was so true. Even before she had left County, Carter was so dedicated to his work, he seemed to always be there. His dedication to the job must have intensified after his promotion to Chief.
" Rachel, Carter is nothing, if not dedicated."
"I just got to know why a woman hasn't scooped him up, and not let go? I mean he's a doctor, is heir to millions, lives in a mansion, and is attractive to boot."
"Why? You interested?"
"Oh, no! No, that's not what I meant! I just meant that his dedication to his job seems to have cost him a lot. He told me about what happened to him and Abby."
"Yeah, he just couldn't do it anymore. None of us could deal with it. Then she lost it, and he was really heartbroken, to see some one that he really did care for being brought down to that level. He thought it was his fault. He still puts on a front. He told you that he hadn't thought about her in a long time didn't he?"
"Yeah."
"He lied. We have lunch about once a week, and he tends to pay most of the time, not that I complain about it, but he still has a picture of them in his wallet. I pretend not to notice, because he tells me the same thing that he told you, but I know the truth. I've known the man for nearly twenty years. So enough about Carter. What about you? Where have you been for the last ten years?"
"Well, I moved back to St. Louis with Mom and her husband, after the funeral. I had a new outlook on life, so I stopped the drugs, and concentrated on school. I had a friend in high school, who discovered she had inoperable cancer, and I had to sit there and watch her die just like I did with Daddy. Through those two experiences, I realized my calling in life was to become a doctor. So then Mom and I started to not get along, and long story short, I graduated, took the money that Daddy set aside for my college, and headed to Tennessee. I spent the last six years at Vanderbilt, got in a serious relationship, called off the relationship after he cheated on me, and then transferred here with Elizabeth's help."
"Wow. When was the last time you talked to your mother?"
"Uh, the day after my high school graduation, when I packed all my stuff and left."
"Oh."
"What about you?"
"Well, I stayed at County about two years after you left, and then I got offered the job at rush, so I took it. Professionally that's about it."
"And personally?"
"Several miserably failed attempts to find Mr. Right have proved fruitless. I was engaged for a time, but it wasn't right. Little Susie came to live with me about six years ago, and he couldn't deal with the though of having to raise a teenager."
"Is she still living with you?"
"Yes."
"What, um, what happened to your sister?"
"Drug overdose, in upstate New York. Didn't find her until she had been dead for nearly three days. Susie found her, and was traumatized. She didn't want to live with Joe, so she came to live with me."
"And she's how old now?"
"Nineteen. She graduated high school last year, and I have never been prouder. There was something about seeing her walk across that stage that made me realize that I was the mother that this girl never had. She just started at the Community College, because she said that she is not ready to leave again just yet."
"I'm glad everything has worked out for you, and I'm sorry about your sister."
"Thanks."
"Um, Dr. Lewis, can I ask you something?"
"Only if you start calling me Susan."
"Sorry. Susan, how well did you know my father? What I mean is, what was your relationship like? You were his best friend, I know that much, but what was it like for you when he wasn't at the hospital anymore. You know, after he died? When he wasn't there to help save a patient or just be there in general. What did you feel?"
"Um, I wasn't easy. I had feelings of guilt for not being there for five years. I missed a lot of things. I mean he got married, had a baby, bought a house. A lot had changed. But it was hard, you know. Honestly, I still think about him. I'll go and sit by his grave, and just try to think about the good times we had together."
"Like what?"
Susan chuckled.
"There was this one time, when Carter was a med student, and he was asleep in the on call room. It was in the middle of a blizzard, so the ER was dead. No patients of any kind. Your dad got the bright idea to play a practical joke on him. So we got the plaster out, and put a cast over Carter's pants leg. When he woke up, his face was priceless, but it almost backfired, because there was a pile up on the freeway, and we got bombarded. But it was till so worth it. That was just how you dad was, and I do miss that."
The two women smiled at one another, and continued their meal and conversation until Susan had to leave and head to the hospital for a shift.
****
Thanks to all who left suggestions in their reviews, last time! I am in the process of working some other departed Characters into upcoming chapters.
Please READ & REVIEW!!! (comments, criticisms and suggestions- all are welcome, and I do try to incorporate everyone's ideas into the story in some capacity.)
Hugs!
Disclaimer: I own no characters in this story, except Bart. The rest belong to NBC, Michael Crichton, and Warner Brothers.
(Before anything, I want to say that in this chapter, I have tried to reconcile things with the Carby readers that were somewhat disturbed with my last chapter. This chapter has more insight into how Carter really dealt with this situation with Abby.)
Rachel talks to the two women who knew her father the most.
****
"Hey you. It's about time you get out of bed."
"How have you done this for fifteen years, Elizabeth? The odd hours are killing me."
Elizabeth smiled at her stepdaughter as she sat down across from her at the kitchen table.
"Eh, you will get used to it, I promise. It may take ten years or so, but it does happen eventually. What would you like for breakfast, or should I say lunch?"
"Oh, I'll find something. No need to make a fuss. Some cereal will be perfect. Where's Ella?"
"She went to the zoo with a friend from school and her family. It's so nice outside, I could hardly say no."
Rachel looked outside at the September sky. It was a cloudless, pristine blue.
"So how was your first week, Rachel?"
"Oh, it was fine. I got to help out in a trauma. It wasn't much. I was just bagging a GSW victim, but still, it got the adrenaline pumping. But then the patient died, and I couldn't take it and ran out. Dr. Carter said my reaction was normal, but still-"
"He's right, you know. Pay attention to him. You could learn a lot. He certainly is a good doctor. He had a good teacher."
Rachel's gaze turned away from the British woman, and to her coffee on the table. Elizabeth's comment brought several emotions to the surface that the younger woman had been fighting the past week. A single tear formed in her eyes. She quickly wiped it away and looked back up.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, Yeah I am. I just didn't think it would be quite this hard, but I still remember what he looked like walking around that place. How he took care of things, and dealt with the people." She chuckled quietly in spite of herself. "I still miss him."
"So do I. I felt the same way when I went back to County the first time after your father died. Except I covered my sadness up with bitterness. It took a while for that bitterness to go away completely."
The two women exchanged a reassuring glance, and smiled at one another.
"So, I've been here a week, and still have not gotten the full story on Dr. Romano and Randi. How did that happen?" Rachel felt she had to change the subject or she would completely break down.
"Oh, goodness. That was five years ago, I suspect. Honestly no one knows how they got together, but one day, he walked into the ER and planted a big wet kiss on her, and then proceeded to announce their engagement. The rumors were that it was something about a bet with Dale Edson, or that there had been something going on since she came to County. Anyway, three months later, I was sitting in between John and Susan at the wedding, on the bride's side, I might add. No one sat on the groom's side. It was all quite humorous. Then three months after that, she was pregnant with the triplets, Julianna, Gloria, and Maria. And six months ago, she had little George."
"Wow."
"So what are you planning on doing with your Saturday off?"
"Relax. Maybe go shopping. Do you have to work today?"
"Yes. I'm working a twelve-hour and have to go in at 6:00 tonight, but I have a meeting at 4:00. Ella is staying at her friend's house tonight, so you'll have the place to yourself."
"Okay. Not a problem. I've got some studying I need to get done anyway."
"Yes, but take some time to enjoy life, too. Don't stay cooped up in this house all day. Well, I'm going to go get ready, but I'll let you know when I get ready to leave."
Elizabeth turned to walk out of the kitchen, when Rachel stopped her.
"Elizabeth?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For everything-letting me stay with you, helping me transfer to County, accepting me even though I was far from your favorite person ten years ago."
"Your welcome," a smiling Elizabeth said before resuming her path out of the kitchen.
****
Four and a half hours later, Rachel found herself meandering around one of Chicago's shopping malls. As she looked into the windows, she found herself disgusted with the fact that Christmas decorations were already on display.
*Its not even October yet* she thought to herself as she rolled her eyes and walked away.
She headed for the food court, seeking out some Chinese food to quell her hunger. After she found a place that was to her liking, she got in the order line behind a woman, who, even from the back looked slightly familiar. The woman turned and reached into her purse, allowing Rachel to see part of her face. Instantly, she knew who the woman was.
"Susan Lewis?"
Susan turned and faced her.
"Yes. Do I know you?"
"Dr. Lewis, I'm Rachel. Rachel Greene."
"Oh my God. Rachel? What are you doing here in Chicago?"
"Believe it or not, I'm doing my ER rotation at County."
"You're in med school?"
"Third year. I could only do this rotation at County. So I called Elizabeth, and she helped me transfer and got me into the program."
"Wow. I can't believe that you are old enough to be a third year."
Both women stopped momentarily to order.
"Dr. Carter said the same thing. He also told me that you were the Chief over at Rush. Very impressive."
"Yeah, well, it has its moments. Let's grab a table. It seems we have lots to talk about."
They took their trays, and headed to a fairly isolated table inside the restaurant, so that they could talk without too much background interruptions. Rachel had sweet and sour chicken, while Susan had selected teriyaki shrimp.
"So. Wow, you're a student. People over at County treating you well?" Susan initiated the conversation.
"Oh, yeah. Dr. Carter and Dr. Chen have really taken me under their wing. I don't see Dr. Chen as much, because she is staying home with her baby a lot. But Dr. Carter seems to always be there. I'm beginning to wonder if he ever goes home."
Susan had to laugh at this, because it was so true. Even before she had left County, Carter was so dedicated to his work, he seemed to always be there. His dedication to the job must have intensified after his promotion to Chief.
" Rachel, Carter is nothing, if not dedicated."
"I just got to know why a woman hasn't scooped him up, and not let go? I mean he's a doctor, is heir to millions, lives in a mansion, and is attractive to boot."
"Why? You interested?"
"Oh, no! No, that's not what I meant! I just meant that his dedication to his job seems to have cost him a lot. He told me about what happened to him and Abby."
"Yeah, he just couldn't do it anymore. None of us could deal with it. Then she lost it, and he was really heartbroken, to see some one that he really did care for being brought down to that level. He thought it was his fault. He still puts on a front. He told you that he hadn't thought about her in a long time didn't he?"
"Yeah."
"He lied. We have lunch about once a week, and he tends to pay most of the time, not that I complain about it, but he still has a picture of them in his wallet. I pretend not to notice, because he tells me the same thing that he told you, but I know the truth. I've known the man for nearly twenty years. So enough about Carter. What about you? Where have you been for the last ten years?"
"Well, I moved back to St. Louis with Mom and her husband, after the funeral. I had a new outlook on life, so I stopped the drugs, and concentrated on school. I had a friend in high school, who discovered she had inoperable cancer, and I had to sit there and watch her die just like I did with Daddy. Through those two experiences, I realized my calling in life was to become a doctor. So then Mom and I started to not get along, and long story short, I graduated, took the money that Daddy set aside for my college, and headed to Tennessee. I spent the last six years at Vanderbilt, got in a serious relationship, called off the relationship after he cheated on me, and then transferred here with Elizabeth's help."
"Wow. When was the last time you talked to your mother?"
"Uh, the day after my high school graduation, when I packed all my stuff and left."
"Oh."
"What about you?"
"Well, I stayed at County about two years after you left, and then I got offered the job at rush, so I took it. Professionally that's about it."
"And personally?"
"Several miserably failed attempts to find Mr. Right have proved fruitless. I was engaged for a time, but it wasn't right. Little Susie came to live with me about six years ago, and he couldn't deal with the though of having to raise a teenager."
"Is she still living with you?"
"Yes."
"What, um, what happened to your sister?"
"Drug overdose, in upstate New York. Didn't find her until she had been dead for nearly three days. Susie found her, and was traumatized. She didn't want to live with Joe, so she came to live with me."
"And she's how old now?"
"Nineteen. She graduated high school last year, and I have never been prouder. There was something about seeing her walk across that stage that made me realize that I was the mother that this girl never had. She just started at the Community College, because she said that she is not ready to leave again just yet."
"I'm glad everything has worked out for you, and I'm sorry about your sister."
"Thanks."
"Um, Dr. Lewis, can I ask you something?"
"Only if you start calling me Susan."
"Sorry. Susan, how well did you know my father? What I mean is, what was your relationship like? You were his best friend, I know that much, but what was it like for you when he wasn't at the hospital anymore. You know, after he died? When he wasn't there to help save a patient or just be there in general. What did you feel?"
"Um, I wasn't easy. I had feelings of guilt for not being there for five years. I missed a lot of things. I mean he got married, had a baby, bought a house. A lot had changed. But it was hard, you know. Honestly, I still think about him. I'll go and sit by his grave, and just try to think about the good times we had together."
"Like what?"
Susan chuckled.
"There was this one time, when Carter was a med student, and he was asleep in the on call room. It was in the middle of a blizzard, so the ER was dead. No patients of any kind. Your dad got the bright idea to play a practical joke on him. So we got the plaster out, and put a cast over Carter's pants leg. When he woke up, his face was priceless, but it almost backfired, because there was a pile up on the freeway, and we got bombarded. But it was till so worth it. That was just how you dad was, and I do miss that."
The two women smiled at one another, and continued their meal and conversation until Susan had to leave and head to the hospital for a shift.
****
Thanks to all who left suggestions in their reviews, last time! I am in the process of working some other departed Characters into upcoming chapters.
Please READ & REVIEW!!! (comments, criticisms and suggestions- all are welcome, and I do try to incorporate everyone's ideas into the story in some capacity.)
Hugs!