Author's Note: I am not a doctor, or any type of medical personnel. Please forgive any errors i made in that department. A million thanks to Carolyn for her s and threats, etc. Also to Carolyn and Carrie for offering their approval of the new...um... *perspective* that i introduce in this. I don't want to give it away, so i'll merely offer the following word for you to ponder: ERSAN.

*****
And the Moment...
*****

CHAPTER 6: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED






It had been four days since the accident. Abby was still heavily medicated and the slow but noticeable decline of her kidneys was a cause of great concern.

Eric sat alone at his sister's bedside. Carter and Maggie had gone to pick up some food from O'Leary's. It was the first chance Eric had to be alone with Abby.

Hey big sis, he said to her. I've only got three more days to hang around and keep you out of trouble. You've gotta wake up so I can tell you I love you. his voice cracked a little as he continued, I don't know what we'd do without you- Maggie and I. And John. He's going crazy with worry about you, kiddo. You can't do this to him.

a forced cough behind him caused him to jump. He turned to see a pretty doctor with streaked blonde hair looking both sad and embarrassed. He remembered a few days before when she had brought them food from Doc Magoo's. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to listen in, she said softly. I didn't think anyone was here with her.

It's OK, he said.

I haven't gotten much chance to come and see her, she explained guiltily. We're shorthanded down in ER and I haven't even had time to come and see my best friend. She offered him a hand. Susan Lewis.

Eric Wyczenski.

You're Abby's brother?

You sound surprised.

Oh, no, it's just-she didn't tell me you were so...so...

he joked.

she blurted, then promptly turned very red and looked away.

Eric also flushed slightly.

Susan covered her face. Listen to me. Why am I acting like this when she's lying there barely clinging- she broke off into a choked sob.

Eric acted without thinking, standing to comfort her, pulling her into his arms. She accepted his embrace and leaned into him willingly.

Hey, hey, he said quietly. She'll be okay. She will.

She looked up to him with teary eyes. You sound like you haven't even convinced yourself of that.

I haven't.

But you expect me to believe it?

No, but you could humor me and pretend to.

She let out a laugh, amazed that already they were bantering like old friends. Thanks. I needed that. She pulled herself from him and stepped over to look down at Abby.

I know.

Listen, um, I'm going to grab something to eat before i go back to the ER. You wouldn't want to join me would you? The last words were spoken shyly, very uncharacteristic for Susan.

I would like that, he said, forgetting that his mother and Carter were en route with food. He watched her as she squeezed her best friends hand.

It's Susan, Abby. You have to wake up so I can fill you in on the ER gossip. Wait until you get a load of Randi's new boyfriend. She glanced at eric and he smiled encouragingly. I'm going to steal your little' brother away for a while but don't worry, i'll give him back. Hang in there, okay? she wiped away the tears that escaped and took a deep breath. I'm ready now, she told Eric.

*****

She'd been watching herself and her family for what seemed like years. She'd felt her own small battle of pride and regret the day that Johnny entered Kindergarten. He had barely edged out a goodbye before taking off to run around with his cousin Sean and other little boys. A wave of disappointment swept over her briefly. He let go so easily! she'd cried to her husband when they were both at work that day.

Did you want him to scream for you to stay with him? John asked sensibly.

Abby pouted.

He'll be okay, he's growing up. Why don't you go talk to Susan? She's in the same state of near-hysteria that you are.

she narrowed her eyes. Watch it, buster.

he backed away defensively, but then both laughed and he moved back to her and wrapped his arms around her. It's hard to watch them grow up. he sighed. Before you know it he'll be crashing my Jeep.

He's never going to drive that thing! We'll get him a safer car.

We'll worry about that in eleven years or so. He punctuated the sentence with a kiss and went to check on labs for a patient.

the sequence seemed to fast forward to stop at Abby arriving in the parking lot of the same elementary school. This time she had Maggie in tow and she took a secret delight in her daughter's reluctance to part with her. The girl wore a brand-new Powerpuff Girls backpack,and she stayed shyly by abby's side as they entered the kindergarten classroom. They stood near the doorway and looked around the colorful little classroom. A pretty little girl approached Maggie, smiling.

Lookit! Your backpack's just like mine! she turned around to proudly display her identical backpack to Maggie. Maggie looked up to her mother.

Why don't you go play, sweetie? Abby suggested.

Yeah, c'mon! the blonde child begged. She reached to her backpack and tugged three plush dolls out of it; one of each Powerpuff Girl. You can play whichever one you want to!

Hesitatingly Maggie selected the Blossom doll. My name's Maggie.

I'm Sarah. C'mon! We gotta save Townsville! she took Maggie's hand and the children settled onto the carpet and soon had the dolls zooming through the air, guided by chubby little hands.

Here we are again, Susan sighed from beside her. She had Chloe in hand, but the dark-haired girl tugged away and ran to where Maggie and Sarah were playing. Within seconds she had the Buttercup toy in hand and was flying her alongside the other two. They watched their daughters playing, neither girl paying any attention to her mother. This is depressing, Susan reported. I think it's time that we have a meeting with our two favorite men.

Eric and John?

No, the other favorites! Ben and Jerry!

Does my brother know about this Jerry guy? Abby asked in mock suspicion.

Please! Who do you think ran to get him at two in the morning both times I was pregnant?

The two left together as the school's bell trilled loudly.

*****

Carter and Maggie were in the Jeep, the smell of the hot food wafting from the carryout bags in the back seat. Neither spoke; they merely listened to the jazz station on the radio. It was currently playing a beautiful, slow Nat King Cole tune that Carter knew Abby was fond of. It made him feel closer to her, somehow, listening to the beloved lyrics.

Without warning, the serenity of the song was interrupted by the piercing tone of Carter's pager. He dug it from his pocket and asked Maggie to read out the numbers on it while he concentrated on weaving through the heavy expressway traffic.

She squinted at the digits on the illuminated display. she read out.

He floored it, letting out a low yet horrible sound like a moan and turning deathly white.

What is it? Maggie demanded fearfully, bracing herself as the Jeep hit seventy miles per hour.

It's a signal I arranged with the hospital.

Is it Abby?

Yes, and it's bad, came the grim response.

They reached the hospital in record time, Carter parking the Jeep recklessly across three spaces before rushing into the building.

He burst through the ICU doors, Maggie on his tail.

Abby's bed was empty.

What's happening? he practically pounced on the nearest nurse.

She went into renal failure. She's in the OR now with Dr. Corday.

Where the hell is Eric?

the nurse shrugged.

Damn it! he pounded a fist on the tabletop.

Keep it down, Dr. Carter, the nurse snapped warningly. Go up to Surgical Waiting. Someone will be with you as soon as possible.

Carter looked as though he was going to say something further, but Maggie took a viselike grip on his arm.

Please send my son up when he returns, Maggie said before steering Carter out of the room. Calm down! she hissed at him as they got into the hall. You're not helping things by making a scene!

I'm fine, he said flatly, but he looked to her with new respect. You've changed, Maggie, he observed.

She shrugged. Abby was right. It took me too long to realize it. I was tired of it all, and I was ashamed of the life I had created for my children. It was hard to change, though. Hard to get used to taking daily doses of Lithium.

I understand, he said, remembering his time in Atlanta.

By this time they had reached the Surgical Family Waiting room and settled into two marginally comfortable chairs. It was only moments later that Eric burst into the room.

What happened? he demanded breathlessly.

Her kidneys crashed. Where the hell were you?!

I went to the cafeteria, Eric explained. Don't yell at me, it's not my fault!

Carter took a deep breath. I'm sorry. I'm just really... he trailed off.

Anxious? Worried? Terrified? Eric supplied. So am I.

I know. I just...panicked.

I understand, man, but all we can do is wait.

That's what I tried to tell him, Maggie put in. Meanwhile, I think Eric and I need to talk. Could you excuse us?

He knew that Maggie was going to tell Eric what she had told John on the way up to the waiting room, to apologize to him.

I'll go down to ER and give Weaver updates like i promised to.

Find Susan Lewis and tell her what's going on, Eric requested. Carter didn't question this, only nodded.

The ER was bustling. Business as usual, he murmured. No doctors were in sight, but Erin Harkins, the med student he'd shown around only the week before, was at the reception desk sorting charts.

Dr. Carter! What are you doing down here? How's Abby?

he began, but was cut off as paramedics rolled a gurney through the doors from the ambulance bay.

Twenty-nine year old female, MVA. BP is ninety over forty... the paramedic rattled off the stats as Carter rushed alongside, Erin close behind.

What's open? he called out.

Curtain three, someone replied.

Lily and Chuny appeared and assisted them with the yellow latex gowns and gloves before donning their own. Luka Kovac also came out of nowhere to assist.

Laceration of the right femoral artery! Chuny carefully unwrapped the bandage and dodged the jet of blood that rushed from the wound.

Carter's head began to spin. He looked down to the patient's face and saw Abby's features superimposed over hers. Wordlessly he turned and fled from the room.

The suture room was unoccupied. He darted into it, sank on the floor and sobbed uncontrollably.

Susan, Weaver, and Pratt were working diligently over an elderly man in Trauma One when they heard a door slam and saw a figure zip past.

Was that Carter? Weaver asked in surprise.

Have you got this? Susan questioned and at Weaver's nod, she removed her bloodstained trauma gown and went after him.

She found him in the suture room, knees drawn up and head down. He was crying. Susan sat down beside him. Is it Abby? she asked shakily.

He didn't reply. She touched his shoulder, tentatively, and heard his nearly inaudible words.

I can't handle this anymore.

What's going on? Susan asked.

Her kidneys...they took her back into the OR...God, Susan, I can't lose her. I can't live without her. It was the closest he'd come to admitting how much he loved Abby.

Oh God... Susan moaned.

What am I going to do if she doesn't--?

Don't say that! Susan said fiercely, ignoring the doubts that lingered in her own mind. She stood and offered her hands to help him up.

Where are we going?



He allowed her to help him up and followed her out of the room. She stopped by a vending machine and purchased a can of Coke. Opening it, she pushed it into Carter's hand and he mechanically took a deep sip of the cold drink.

They didn't talk in the elevator, but Carter managed to down the entire can of soda before they even reached the roof. It seemed to refresh him a little. He followed Susan right up to the rail and they stared out among the city lights. Beyond the outskirts of the city, Lake Michigan sparkled with the reflection of thousands of lights that surrounded it.

The view was one that brought with it a sense of peace, however temporary it may have been. Carter breathed deeply of the night air and let the chill of the air envelop him.

When Abby wakes up, Susan said into the darkness, And that's *when*, NOT *if*, you'll be right there beside her, and she'll know you've been with her every minute possible. She'll know how much you love her, and she'll know how much she loves you. You two were meant to be. You were always meant to be. God is not going to take that away from you.

Carter turned startled eyes to her. He'd never known Susan to be especially religious. She took no notice of the expression he wore, but changed the subject.

Did Eric find you?

Yeah. He and Maggie are having a

About her disease?

How did you meet Eric? he asked, curiosity distracting him from his troubles.

Susan was glad it was dark, so Carter couldn't see the pink tinge that flooded her cheeks. I went to see Abby and he was there. He- comforted me. Then we went to the cafeteria and, well, we got to talking.

Carter thought of the idea of his ex-girlfriend and his current girlfriend's brother together. He was interested to find that he rather liked the idea.

Let's head back and see if they've learned anything yet, he suggested. And Susan? Thanks.

She gave him a huge hug. She really will be okay, she whispered.

*****

In Surgical Family Waiting, Maggie and Eric were talking with a haggard-looking Dr. Romano when Carter and Susan arrived.

Carter, Susan, he greeted. Shouldn't you be down in ER? he asked Susan pointedly.

I want to know about Abby first, she said firmly. Romano sighed a dramatic put-out sigh.

Corday's still finishing up with her, but it's looking good. The good kidney is functioning again, plus she worked a little on the other one and thinks that it may recover more than we originally thought. That's all I've got, now get back to where they need you. he swept out of the room.

Susan gave an encouraging smile to Carter and an altogether different kind of smile to Eric before returning to the ER.

She's going to be okay, Eric closed his eyes in relief.

*****

Carter was sitting with Maggie by Abby's bed as usual two days later. Eric had gone to have lunch at Doc's with Susan on her break, promising to bring back something for the two of them. Maggie was showing Carter some pictures she had of her children when they were young. The ten-year-old Abby Wyczenski had a sparkle in her eyes that had very nearly burned out. It was only recently that he had seen her eyes brighten up again.

It was one reason I didn't like to take my medicine, Maggie explained. We had so much fun before Abby grew out of it. Like here- she was seven. She showed him another photo, where she and Abby had done each others' make up. Abby's was perfectly applied while Maggie's was heavy and slightly sloppy, just as you'd expect from the hand of a seven-year-old. Yet another picture showed Abby and Eric laughing in a tent that was set up in the living room of their home.

Suddenly there was a groan from the bed. Both jumped up to look at her. Her eyelids fluttered and she opened her eyes slowly, blinking at the harsh fluorescent lights as she focused on the figures above.

Abby, sweetheart! It's mom.

Abby's voice, hoarse from disuse, sounded raspy. She barely spoke above a whisper.

Do you know who that is? Maggie gestured to Carter. Abby studied him for a second then turned back to her mother, brow furrowed.

You ordered a pizza?

It's the morphine...Carter reminded himself, trying not to be disappointed.

That's John Carter, honey, Maggie said. Abby's face lit up.

she breathed. I dreamed about you. Joe McCarthy was chasing you but he couldn't catch you cause you were riding a cheetah. she beckoned him closer and he leaned down to hear her next words. I'm REALLY glad he didn't catch you, she confided.

Me too, he whispered, unaware of the tears rolling down his cheeks.

Why are you crying?

I'm happy to see you.

Have I been gone? she asked, confused.

He didn't answer. Are you in pain, Abby? he asked. She nodded. Okay, we'll get you something for it.

*****

Eric and Susan walked together down the ward that housed the Intensive Care units.

I feel almost guilty, Eric said out of the blue. My sister is unconscious in the hospital and I'm dating her best friend.

I understand, Susan giggled. My best friend is in the same situation and I'm dating her brother!

They entered the third ICU area, where they were amazed to see the exuberant Carter and Maggie.

She woke up, Carter said simply, yet happily.