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

The Last 3 Years Were Just Pretend

'What?'

'Come with me'

'Um, that's a bit out of the blue'

'What did you think I was going to do? Sleep with you and go back to Atlanta alone'

'You came back to sleep with me?'

'That's not.'

'I know I'm just a bit shocked. Anyway, I cant just get up and leave'

'Why not?'

'Well, my job.'

'There's work in Atlanta'

'My friends are here'

'You can stay in touch; we did'

'I really need time to think about this'

'I'm going to be late. We'll talk later'

They shared a quick kiss. He turned and walked back into Chicago while she sat by the river contemplating his proposition.

She knew that this was the choice she was so afraid of making. Chicago or Atlanta? Carter or Luka? The first of those was so much easier - Chicago. Her life was in Chicago, her job (which although she rarely admitted it, she loved), her friends, her security. But, she didn't know if she could live without Carter. In all honesty she wanted to go with him, the only thing holding her back was the lack of security.

What if they broke up, she'd be in a strange city, with unfamiliar, miles from her other friends. But if she didn't go she'd tear him apart. He'd put himself on the line for her; it was only fair that she did the same for him

She had to go with him.

She watched the patterns in the river, they calmed her thoughts. She sat in peace for a while until she ran out of coffee. She sighed and stood up slowly, she took a last look at the dancing patterns in the water and headed towards the city and the meeting she had promised to go to.

Dinner with his mother had been as awkward as ever. She wanted to know if he was seeing anyone, which lead o the same old question of whether he was ever planning on getting married. To both of those questions he forced a smile and used the same old excuse that he hadn't met the right girl yet. To this his mother replied that he obviously wasn't meeting enough new people and that he should attend more Carter family events.

He quickly made excuses and left to meet Susan. There was a lot to talk about and one particular question he had to ask.

Before he had time to think about much else he had arrived at Magoos and was watching Susan struggle to cross the road, let alone keep hold of her scarf. As she entered the diner her cheeks pinkened and it was obvious that she had been wearing a hat, her hair was flying in all directions. She pointed to the ladies room whilst mouthing 'I need coffee'. He ordered the coffee and waited for Susan to emerge.

On her way out Susan crossed paths with the waitress and decided to save the waitress some trouble by bringing the coffee over herself.

She sat down carefully whilst passing him his coffee making sure not to drop any - every drop was precious. She gave a deep sigh and took a sip of her coffee.

'Hard shift?'

'3 traumas so far, all MVA's'

'Ouch'

'Tell me about it. Anyway, I've just left the ER, I don't intend on going back for at least, 20 minutes. So, how are you?'

'I'm good'

'I said how are you? Don't give me 'good' that's to simple for you Carter'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'You know exactly what I meant'

'You know me too well. I'm doing fine, better that I have been in a long time'

'Do you think that has anything to do with leaving County?'

He smiled. 'I'd like to say so but honestly, I don't think it does'

'What is it then? The weather in Atlanta, the fact that there's no Romano there either, spiritual enlightenment or have you fallen head over heels in love?'

He laughed at the expression on her face and turned his head to face the window

'Oh no' he whispered

'What?'

'Look'

He pointed at a figure walking across to Magoos

'Its Luka, so what?'

He pulled out a menu

'Quickly behind this'

'Why, what's he gonna do?'

'He doesn't no I'm here'

'Well, I think its time he did'

'What?'

'Luka' she called over to the figure walking through the door. He didn't respond

'Luka'

'Oh, hi Susan'

He saw whom she was with

'Carter, what are you doing here?'

'Here on business'

Luka signalled the waitress to bring him 3 coffees

Susan tried to break the awkwardness

'Been sent on the rations run then?'

'Apparently, I'm the only one capable of coming outside and not being blown away'

'That one of Chuny's tricks'

'Yeah'

The waitress brought over Lukas coffees

'I better go' He turned back to Carter 'See you around'

He turned back to Susan 'Do you know what time Abby's on?'

'Uh, three I think'

'Ok, thanks' He turned and walked back across to the ER

'Well that wasn't awkward'

'I'm sorry but we don't get on that well'

'Really?!? I'd never have guessed'

'Anyway, what's the deal with him and Abby?'

'He's her boyfriend, he has the right to know when she's coming to work'

He chocked on the coffee he'd just sipped

'He's her what?'

'Oh my God, you didn't know, I'm so sorry'

'But, she slept with me'

'What?'

'Last night, we slept together, I asked her to come back to Atlanta with me'

'Carter I'm so sorry'

He picked up his coat but didn't put it on as he walked out into the wind Susan went after him.

'Where are you going?' She called as the cab he'd flagged pulled up

He looked back at her

'Home'

He got into the cab and drove off

Abby walked down the busy street, as the wind blew her hair around her face she begun to regret not catching a cab. She took her gloves off so she could find her keys. It wasn't often that she came home knowing that someone would be happy to see her, it was even rarer that she felt this happy.

The meeting had finished quicker that she'd anticipated but her mind had been on other things. She wasn't even sure why she had returned to her apartment, her shift started in 10 minutes and it would take that long to get there but she wanted to check that he hadn't finished with Susan early and was waiting for her to come back. She pushed open her front door, she looked around, the half eaten breakfast was still by the sink, the bed still wasn't made, her clothes were still scattered across the floor.

She saw the pictures on the small table of her and Carter at some charity event. She had to go with him to Atlanta. She would hand her notice in at the end of her shift and then come back and tell Carter - he'd be so happy, they both would.

It was then that Abby realised the clock above the door. She grabbed her coat and bag and ran.

She jumped off the El and pelted down the steps towards the street

'Abby' Susan cried from across the street

'Susan, I.' She couldn't stop to talk - she was already late. 'Hey, isn't Carter with you?' she tried to make it sound as innocent as possible.

'No, he, uh.'

Abby saw Susan's face turn pale

'He's what? He hasn't been in an accident has he?'

'No'

'Thank God'

'Abby, he's gone'

Ok there's your chapter for this week!! As always feedback appreciated - Hna xXx