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

I Cant Live A Day Without You

The voice was warm and familiar and more importantly it wasn't made up of a thick Croatian accent.

'Carter?'

'Got it in one'

She was shocked, not only that he was here but that he hadn't told her- she wondered if Susan was in on it.

'What, what are you doing here?'

'Well, I, uh, decided to come here and surprise you'

'But we only spoke on the phone last night - why didn't you tell me?'

'If I had it wouldn't have been a surprise'

She was stumped, what else could she say?

'Abby, you haven't even said hi yet'

'Neither have you - your introduction consisted of scaring the life out of me'

'Sorry about that'

'Don't be'

'Should we start again?'

'Um.'

'Hi, John Carter at your service'

'Abby Lockhart, pleased to meet your acquaintance'

They shook hands.

She didn't want to let go, apparently neither did he.

'Long time no see'

'Coffee?'

'Ask a stupid question'

He swapped his hands round so he could hold hers more comfortably. They walked back to Magoos - Abby prayed that Susan wouldn't still be there.

'Back again' the waitress joked

'What?'

The waitress obviously misread Abby's reply; she smiled politely and went get their coffee.

'You're looking great' he broke the silence

'Thanks. You don't look to bad either'

'Well, you know, I try'

'I'd like to be able to say that but honestly, it comes naturally'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Nothing'

She paused for a minute, this was just like old times, well, not quite, things had changed, she had changed.

'You know, I still cant believe you're here. How long have you had this planned?'

'Quite a while. What's so hard to believe?'

'That you're actually here. I'd psyched myself for you not to come back for another 10 months and honestly, it scared me'

Had she just said that? She waited for a reply.

She could see him thinking as he took a sip of his coffee. A small smile crept across his face.

'You've scared me a few times as well - with the explosion when Maggie came and when you almost got us arrested'

She thought back to then - it seemed such a long time ago.

'What's Luka like these days? You never say anything about him when I call. Have you vindictively massacred any of his possessions recently?'

He watched her face fall as she turned away from him.

'He's fine'

He saw that he had hit a nerve - he wasn't sure which one.

She kept her gaze fixed on something outside as she asked what time it was. He replied. Her expression changed to panic.

'What's wrong?'

'I've been on my break for 45 minutes - Weavers going to kill me'

'Well, you better go'

'Are you coming?'

'I don't know'

'Come on, just say hi to everyone?'

'If you insist'

They picked up their jackets and walked towards the hospital.

Carter noticed a sense of nostalgia build up inside him as he walked across to the ambulance bay - he hadn't done it in a long time yet it seemed the most natural and everyday thing.

'Oh my God. Aren't you supposed to be in Atlanta?' Chen called

'Yeah but I tore myself away'

Susan walked out of the double doors.

'If t isn't John Carter himself'

'Susan, long time no see'

'You haven't changed at all'

'Neither have you, or this place'

'You haven't been inside yet have you?'

Abby butted in 'Susan, is Weaver around?'

'Yea, she's looking for you'

Abby turned to Carter. 'Come and find me when you're done'

She turned and walked into the ER. Carter followed a few minutes later when the ambulance Susan and Chen were waiting for pulled up.

-----

Carter had spent loner than he'd expected talking to old friends and colleagues.

He needed to find Abby

'Susan have you seen Abby?'

A smile lit up her face

'She's in Exam 1'

'What are you smiling at?'

The Cheshire cat style grin remained on her face

'Nothing'

He looked at her and raised his eyebrows but he could see that she wasn't going to give it up.

'Exam 1 did you say?'

Susan nodded - speaking would wipe off her grin.

He walked into the exam room to find Abby finishing with a patient.

'When does your shift finish?'

'Don't know but I have 2 hours left'

Well, I'm going to go and find somewhere to stay. I'll see you tomorrow we can have lunch or something'

'No don't do that; stay with me'

'Are you sure?'

'Why wouldn't I be?'

'I don't know but.'

'But nothing. Look here are my keys; go and have a shower and get some sleep or something. I'll bring back some food and we can pig out in front of the TV'

'I'll see you later then'

'Two hours and counting'

'Things don't change'

----- 2 Hours Later -----

She expected to walk in and find him asleep on the couch, TV blaring and a half empty mug of coffee to be left on the small table, but actually she found exactly the opposite. He was in the kitchen pouring coffee, the TV was off, the radio was playing some 'classic' love song softly in the background and the table was set nicely - she felt the pizza she'd bought was slightly unfit for the 'occasion'

'Hey'

'Oh, hi. I didn't hear you come in'

'I was being quiet - I expected you to be asleep - but instead you've patronised the pizza I got'

They laughed

'Sorry I patronised your pizza'

'Sorry the pizza will mock the surroundings'

The silly banter continued through the meal. When they'd finished, they camped out in front of the TV and watched some old movie.

'What he can't do that?'

'Abby it's a movie'

'I know but still, he shouldn't have gone with her, he should've gone with the other one'

'What does it matter?'

'You really aren't a romantic are you?'

'I wouldn't say that. I set the setting for dinner'

'That was really sweet, may I ask why you did it though?'

'Well, I have something to tell you so I buttered you up first'

Her heart began to pound - she wanted to believe that he was going to tell her something could but in reality it was bound not to be.

'What is it? Tell me'

'Well, I've come back to Chicago to tell you to your face that I might not.'

'Might not what?'

'I don't want to be your friend anymore'

'What?' Her heart and head sank

'No, I don't mean it like that - I could never mean it like that'

He put his finger up to her chin lifting her head back up

'When I left Chicago I thought it would go away.'

She opened her mouth

'Don't say anything, let me finish. When I left I thought that it would go away. You see, I'm drawn to you and I thought that leaving would make the bond weaker, but it didn't, it made it stronger.'

He waited for a reply; she just stared, straight into his eyes.

She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She did neither, she just stared, he looked so innocent, so honest, so right. She couldn't leave it like that.

In an unspoken agreement they both leaned forward. Their lips united, their noses rubbed together, their foreheads met.

Abby opened her eyes and bit her lip - their foreheads remained in contact.

'What I was trying to tell you was that' he pause 'I love you'

How was she supposed to respond? She didn't know if she loved him and she couldn't lead him on if she didn't, that wouldn't be fair on him. But what about her? What was fair for her?

She put her arms around his neck whilst kissing him. More intensely than before.

She knew where this was going - she wanted it to go there but on her terms.

She took his hand and led him towards the bedroom. A few paces before they got there he pulled her back to him and kissed her forehead - without speaking he asked.

She nodded and let him take the lead.

Neither of them heard the phone ringing in the room they'd left behind.

There it is. I hope it lived up to your high expectations. Thank you for all your kind reviews please keep them coming. - Hna xXx