Author's Note: Special thanks go to Carolyn and Carrie for their heartfelt approval of the parts they read. To The Princess for not doing anything that would result in Abby's untimely death. The Goddess is pleased with you. Thanks also to all of you who have sent me wonderful reviews. Thanks especially to my dad for identifying me as a grumble while he was all morphinated, giving me material to steal-er, borrow- for this chapter.

Disclaimers: Not mine, never will be. Though in my wildest dreams i DO own Noah Wyle... Color my World is a Chicago song (the band, not the movie). A very pretty one.

*****
And The Moment...
*****

((previously on ER: Abby woke up.))


CHAPTER 7: COLOR MY WORLD


Eric looked down at Abby. She was unconscious but there was a new glow to her face that had not been there before.

What did she say? he asked.

She wasn't awake very long. She said she was in pain so they gave her more morphine, Carter reported. They'll start reducing the doses soon. She's basically addicted now but that's easily remedied without causing any further stress on her.

Was she aware of what happened?

Not really. She wasn't entirely lucid. But she woke up. Carter already looked better than he had in days. She's really going to be okay.

How much longer is she going to be in here? Eric glanced around the ICU.

It's still a long road, Carter cautioned. She'll be in here for at least another week until they're sure that everything is recovering smoothly.

I have to report back to base in two days, Eric said hesitantly. I was only allowed a week's leave. Carter noticed that Susan looked distinctly unhappy at the news.

You didn't tell me that! Maggie said sharply.

We both had more important things to worry about, he pointed out.

Susan interrupted apologetically. I'm sorry to have to run, but my break was over- she glanced at her watch - about twenty minutes ago. Weaver's going to murder me.

Tell her the news, Carter requested. Susan nodded and Eric escorted her to the hall outside.

I can't believe you've got to go so soon, she murmured, slipping her arms about his neck.

I know. I wish my time didn't belong to the Air Force. It's only another year before I'm free, though.

*Only* a year? Susan mocked wryly. A lot can happen in a year.

A lot can happen overnight too, he pointed out. Evidence of that is in there under the watchful eyes of John Carter.

I hope Abby knows just how much he loves her. The rest of us have known it longer than some care to remember. The look she had on her face screamed of irony.

You two dated! Eric realized. You and John!

Yeah, but only for a few months. I knew even then that he was in love with her.

What about you? He asked softly.

What about me?

Were you in love?

she answered truthfully. I thought for a while that I could fall in love with him, but we just didn't click right.

That's too bad, he lied.

Is it really?

he confirmed before leaning to kiss her.

She returned it with fervor. The kiss lasted several minutes before Eric slowly pulled away.

I think we click right, he said huskily.

*****

Carter and Maggie watched the couple walk out of sight.

What do you think of that? Maggie murmured.

More importantly, what do you think Abby will say?

Maggie would have answered had Eric not come back in at that moment. He looked at the two faces.

Been talking about me, huh? he said, not at all angrily.

Just wondering what Abby's reaction to you two will be, Carter laughed. Eric actually paled.

Maybe, ah, we shouldn't bother her with that until she's completely better, he began, imagining what, exactly, his sister would say when she found out that her baby brother was dating her best friend.

Maggie stood and stretched. I need to get a little air, she announced. I'll be back.

When she was gone Eric immediately turned to Carter. I have an idea of what Abby will think, he confided, but I want to know what you think.

Carter asked, taken aback. Why me? It's none of my business.

Of course it is. You're the closest thing to a brother I've got, and you know Susan better than a lot of people...

Carter knew that Eric had guessed, or been told, of his own history with Susan and that by giving his approval (which he would do more than willingly), he would be not only appeasing Eric's worries but also he would be letting Eric know that he, Carter, thought that they were right for each other.

What I think is, you and Susan are good for each other. Carter spoke honestly. You just have to slow her down every now and then and make her let you take care of her. She's very independent.

It took me a good fifteen minutes to talk her into letting me pay for lunch, Eric told him.

Yep, that's her. They both laughed a little before Eric became a little somber as he leaned over to smooth Abby's covers.

You're the best thing to ever happen to her, you know, he said quietly.

She's the best thing in my life, Carter responded. This is tearing me apart.

I can tell. You try to hide it but it shows in your eyes. I'm just glad that someone is there who cares and who will be there for Abby to lean on. That's what she needs most. She's always been the strong one. She had to grow up too fast-- we both did.

But you both turned out okay in spite of that.

That's Abby's doing. If she hadn't been so tough on me I probably would have ended up a delinquent in some prison somewhere.

She's tough. We should have realized that she'd never let a little car accident stop her, Carter said proudly.

Do you think she'll wake up again before I have to go? Eric asked hopefully.

Probably. She might even recognize you. But If you want to see her awake you'll have to be around pretty much 24/7. Carter took a drink from the can of Dr. Pepper he had.

Eric nodded. I plan to, except tomorrow night Susan wants to take me to a place that she goes to a lot. Hopefully I won't miss Abby while we're at the Lava Lounge.

Carter choked on his drink. Coughing, he managed to sputter, She's taking you to the Lava Lounge??

Is that bad?

If you want to get plastered and go deaf on your last night together for awhile, no, it's fine, Carter said.

I'd like to take her somewhere nice, maybe something romantic. Italian or French. Any ideas?

Carter thought for a few minutes. There's Coco Pazza uptown, it has good Italian food, and- oh! I know the perfect place! There's a French restaurant on La Salle called Everest. It's on the fortieth floor of a skyscraper and the view is magnificent. She'll love it. He filled Eric in on the details of the restaurant. Make a reservation. Be sure to speak to the Maitre'd, request a table by the window, and mention the name Millicent Carter.

That sounds good, Eric agreed. Just remind me not to eat anything all day. A seven-course meal!

*****

It was the next afternoon that Carter came into the ICU to see that not only was Abby awake, but that her brother was struggling to keep her from getting out of bed.

They need me in the ER! she insisted, slurring a little. She caught sight of Carter. He won't let me go! I'm needed in ER! Hear that beeping? Weaver's paging me. She'll be pissed if I don't show!!! She looked flushed and Carter winced, knowing that if she wasn't on such strong painkillers, the act of moving so much would be causing her considerable pain.

he said gently, That's your heart monitor beeping. You need to stay in bed for a while. They'll be okay in the ER without you.

Abby stopped struggling abruptly. she said, seemingly convinced.

Are you in pain? Carter asked, concerned.

I'm not in pain. Why would I be in pain? Unless this guy gave me some bruises. She glowered in Eric's direction.

Carter hated that Abby was too drugged up to be aware of what was going on, and of who was around her. He could see that Eric was disappointed that Abby had no clue who he was.

Is it like, amnesia? Eric asked worriedly.

Carter shook his head. The morphine just makes her completely disoriented. It's frustrating, I know, he added. He spoke to Abby. Do you know who this is? He gestured to Eric.

Abby nodded sagely. That's a grumble.

*****

A what? Susan asked in the borrowed Jeep that night.

That's kind of what I said too. John said not to worry about it. I just wish that I could have had a chance to talk to her-a real conversation.

You will. We'll call every day.

he teased.

She blushed. I'll call, she corrected. You need to get in the left lane here to go to the Lava Lounge.

We're not going to the Lava Lounge, he reported. I received a warning about that place.

Susan grumbled. I should have guessed. Where are we going?

It's a surprise.

she protested laughingly, secretly pleased by the mystery.

You'll see when we get there! he said maddeningly.

Come on! she begged.

He ignored her pleading and began singing, purposely off-key. As time goes onnnnn, I realiiiize just what you meeean to meeee...

Oh no, Susan groaned in mock agony. That song is too good for you to treat it like that!

Color my wooooorrlld with hope of loooving yooouu, he ended the song with a flourish. He glanced over to her to see the feigned irritation on her face. You didn't like my serenade?

If I wasn't so curious about where we're going I'd threaten to tell you to eat alone just for that, she told him.

You wouldn't tell a poor lonely soldier to eat alone on his last night of leave, Eric pointed out.

Damn. You win. They both laughed. But you're not really a soldier, she added.

Minor details... He steered Carter's Jeep into a parking deck.

Where ARE we? Susan demanded. He tuned to her. The shocked expression he pasted on was so obviously phony that she had a hard time to keep from bursting into paroxysms of laughter.

You mean you've never been here?

I don't know, she said, playing along. Why don't you tell me where here' is?

He gave a very offended sigh. I can't believe you don't know. So sad, so very sad. And you, a Chicago girl!

She gave him a Look.

Okay, okay, he surrendered. We're going to the fortieth floor.

The fortieth- realization dawned on her suddenly. You're taking me to Everest?!

Gallantly, he offered his arm and she looped her own through it. Shall we? he smiled at her.

Of course, she said grandly.