Author's Note: this chapter is intended to lead up to the next. It's kind of choppy but I did that on purpose. I hope it isn't too confusing!!! Thanks go out of course to Carolyn, Carrie, and the rest of the crowd who enjoy nagging me about this. Also to Mel, because the ultimate hater of any form of ship actually gave me a pretty good review.

Disclaimers: [insert the usual disclaimers here]

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


CHAPTER 8: RETURN AND DEPARTURE



The dark-haired woman entered the ER, observing it carefully. It hadn't changed much in the past few years. She marveled at the fact that she hadn't been back here since the day she had made the most important decision of her life. She missed it, really. She missed the people. That was probably why she had come back to County when she had returned to Chicago to visit her mother. She felt guilty that they had lost contact with their old friends from County, that they had let their new lives absorb so much of their time. She even regretted it, and she knew that her husband did too.

A shocked and pleased Haleh Adams was calling her name. What are you doing here? She ran over and gave Carol a huge hug.

Hi! You look great! Carol noted the weight that Haleh had dropped.

Thanks, you do too! she noted Carol's rounding stomach. Just one this time?

Carol let a gentle hand rest on the protrusion of her belly. We're due in three months. Doug wants a boy but i think of the thought of a boy growing up with two older sisters... they both laughed.

Bring the family with you?

Yeah, Doug took the girls to Lincoln Park. We're here visiting Mom. He dropped me here and they'll be back to say hello and to come and get me.

Now, girl, Haleh's expression changed to one of admonition. This is the part where I yell at you for vanishing without a word. Now you fill me in on what's happened to all of you. You ever get around to tagging Ross' at the end of your name?

Carol proudly displayed the diamond solitaire and the platinum band that resided on her left hand and Haleh gave a delighted squeal. Suddenly Carol was surrounded by her former coworkers, being hugged and asked questions from everyone.

Bout time, Lydia smirked.

Yeah, yeah, Carol groaned good-naturedly. so what's new around here? Who's still around?

The nurses threw a few somber glances around before Haleh spoke up. Honey, we got to talk.

*****

They were all four gathered around Abby's bed. She was awake and fairly lucid, though she still had no idea what had happened. Eric was once again wearing his dress uniform, though Gamma had had it cleaned and pressed for him during his stay in her home.

You have to go so soon? Abby said in dismay. But you just got here.

I know, he soothed. But the Air Force apparently can't fly a few planes without me. Don't you worry, I'll be in touch with you. This made Abby smile. Had she been more alert,she would have noticed that one of her brother's hands was clinched tightly with that of Susan Lewis. Since she apparently didn't catch this, it was silently agreed that no one would mention it just yet. Eric dropped a light kiss on his sister's forehead and managed to drape an arm loosely over his shoulder in a hug.

Susan and I are going to take Eric to the airport and then we'll both be back. Is there anything you'd like while we're out? Carter asked

she requested pitifully.

No way, came the cheerful reply. try to sleep, okay? We'll sneak in something good for you.

The trio departed and under Maggie's watchful eye, Abby soon surrendered to sleep.

The ride to the airport was quiet. Carter played the radio softly; the passenger beside him was an overstuffed duffel bag and a small carryon. Susan and Eric, by their own accord, were crunched together in the uncomfortable back seat of the Jeep. Carter made it a point to not listen in to their conversation. It was hard to hear over the noise of the Wrangler, anyhow. He focused on the music, and when *their* song came on he had to turn up the radio to hear the Lifehouse song. His and Abby's song.

Their song, Susan murmured to Eric. He nodded. Why don't we have a song? she asked suddenly.

I thought we did, he protested. he began to sing again, barely above a whisper, and more on-key this time. Promise your love That I've waited to share And dreams of our moments together. Color my world with hope-

-of loving you, she finished the song with him. He pulled her to him-not that it was far in the small confines of the back seat- and they sat close, listening to the song that meant so much to two people they both loved.

O'Hare was no more crowded than usual, though that wasn't saying much. They found the gate for Eric's flight and he checked in. In a little deli nearby they sat down and ordered thick subs with chips to eat lunch. It killed time as they all spent an hour or so picking through the sandwiches that none especially wanted. Giving up, they returned to the hard plastic waiting chairs by the gate. About ten minutes before boarding time Eric turned to Carter and said simply, I don't think I need to tell you to take care of Abby, but just in case I'm wrong about you I'll go ahead and tell you that if you hurt my sister i'll be back to kick your ass. His tone was light, knowing full well that John Carter would never do anything to hurt Abby. The two men embraced as brothers before Carter quietly excused himself, pointing out a touristy gift shop as his destination, leaving the couple alone.

So this is it. Susan couldn't think of appropriate words.

He caught her hands, entwining their fingers together. This isn't it. It' sounds like forever. He gave a half-smile. Don't think you can get rid of me that easily.

It may as well be forever, Susan pouted a little.

Hey, don't say that, he protested. Nothing is really forever.

Oh, how encouraging,Susan said wryly.

That's not what I mean and you know it! Besides, he added practically, Isn't it a little too soon to be thinking of forever?

Maybe you're right, she admitted, but it's never too soon to hope for forever.

He pulled her to him and she settled against his tall form, arms around him and his around her. They stayed that way for several minutes, not speaking, just reading each other's thoughts. Susan leaned her head against Eric's chest and listened to the strong and steady beat of his heart while he gently stroked her back.

They were reluctant to part when the flight was announced for boarding. Susan refused to let herself cry. She was not going to cry. She wanted to say something but just could not find the words so instead she put a hand in his hair and pulled him down to kiss him.

Finally, breathless, they separated. Eric hoisted his carryon bag over his shoulder and dropped one last hard kiss on her lips before trudging to the gate that led to the airplane outside.

Susan watched him go, unaware of Carter's return until he put a comforting arm around her shoulders. She flashed him a thankful glance as they watched the plane take off.

You okay? Carter questioned.

Susan turned to leave and he followed.

Reaching the Jeep, Susan immediately rolled the canvas top up.

What are you doing? Carter demanded.

It's a sunny day in Chicago and I need something that will make me feel a little better and if the wind in my face does the trick then so be it.

He didn't dare object.



*****

Oh my God, Carol whispered in disbelief. It was unthinkable. Tears formed in her eyes as she thought about her old friend, a man of less than forty years, gone. Forever. How could she break it to Doug?

The other things that the nurses had told her seemed pale in comparison, except the news of the accident that involved Abby Lockhart, the nurse who delivered Carol's daughter Kate and who had entered her ER rotation as a medical student soon after. She was not surprised to hear that she was quite serious with County's current Chief Resident; anyone who saw the two interact knew there was something between them right from the start.

Hey, there she is! Carol barely heard the words before two three-year-old girls attacked her full force.

Mommy! Daddy took us to the park! It was so cool, the curly-haired child said excitedly. Her twin had straighter, lighter hair,, but it was obvious that when they were older she would be the beauty of the two.

That's great, Kate, Carol said. Doug watched her steadily, and she knew he wondered why she had been crying.

Look at these two! Haleh crooned. They're so big now! She saw that both children were puzzled.

Last time I saw you, you were both little bitty, she explained.

Girls, why don't you go with nurse Haleh and meet some of Mommy and Daddy's old friends, Carol told them. Haleh instantly offered her hands to the twins, who took them and let her lead them around the ER.

What is it? Doug's voice, deep and concerned, came from beside her.

It's Mark, she stated, her eyes welling up again. He died last year of a brain tumor, Doug.

He paled and she put her arms around him, offering both comfort and support. Doug's eyes, too, filled with tears.

Why didn't we keep in touch? he murmured.

i don't know, either, she said softly. But I regret it more than I ever thought I would.

They had several minutes in which they calmed down, and Carol filled Doug in on what had happened since her departure. The ER doors from the ambulance bay opened to admit two distinctly windblown people. Carter was bearing a styrofoam cup from Doc Magoo's and a straw that was still wrapped. He stopped abruptly at the sight of the couple before them. Susan didn't notice the surroundings as she concentrated on finding the hairbrush that she knew was somewhere in her purse.

Dr. Ross? Carol? They whipped around.

Doug exclaimed, not recognizing Susan since she had flipped her head down to brush her tangled hair back into a tidy ponytail.

What are you two doing here? I thought you'd disappeared into the black hole of Seattle.

We did, but now we're back.

The sadness in their eyes didn't go unnoticed and he realized they must have just heard about Mark.

It's good to see you, Carter. I hear you're Chief Resident these days.

I am, Carter said simply.

Who is your friend here? Doug teased. Susan was still working on getting the knots out of her hair.

Remind me to never ride in that car with the top down, she mumbled, finally succeeding in detangling her hair and pulling it back. It was then that she realized who Carter was talking to.

She went to him and gave him a warm hug before going over to greet Carol.

Is that Susan Lewis under that blonde hair?

The one and only, she smiled. She glanced down at Carol's rounded stomach. Is this number three? she questioned, having been told of Doug and Carol's saga together.

Carol confirmed.

It's great to see you both, but I have to run upstairs. He shook hands with Doug and disappeared.

He's really serious about Abby, isn't he? Carol asked.

You have no idea, Susan responded.

Doug frowned in thought. Not that doctor, Abby Keaton?

No, no, Susan corrected. Abby Lockhart is a nurse in the ER.

She used to be an OB nurse, Carol added. In fact, she helped deliver Kate. I'd like very much to see her.

Susan glanced at the clock. I'm not on for twenty minutes. I'll take you up there, she offered.

That would be great. You can tell me about Arizona on the way.

Susan laughed. Arizona won't take that long.

*****

Carter entered the ICU carefully. He saw Maggie, sitting next to Abby, reading aloud to her from a paperback.

Did you see Eric off okay? Maggie asked. He nodded. I like Susan, she added.

Abby asked groggily.

he presented the styrofoam cup. I brought you a surprise! he helped her sit up just enough that she could sip the drink without choking.

she said at the taste of the chocolate milkshake. It's not as good as Doc's, though, she said by way of mild reproof.

You're right. He took it all in stride. I promise that next time we'll get Doc's.

*****

The plane had been in the air for an hour. Eric, from his window seat, watched the landscapes change below him as the plane traveled westward. He saw cities give way to rolling green countryside and back to cities again before he finally sighed and opened his carryon. As he selected a book and pulled it out, a folded piece of paper fell out of the bag. He reached for it and opened it slowly.

*****

Susan had worked a half-shift that day, which was only slightly less exhausting than a full shift. She couldn't wait to get home and soak in a long bath. She set her purse down on the end table and rooted around for the handful of change that she planned to toss into her change jar. She was surprised to find something folded up in the pocket-an old grocery list or perhaps a forgotten bit of mail. She pulled it out and unfolded it.


**************************
END NOTES: I had not intended to bring the Ross family back in this. However, since Come to Seattle has been obliterated, I had to make a deal on this with the Princess. So CtS is gone, and thanks to everyone who read and reviewed it. I'm sorry, but i JUST couldn't finish it. The Rosses may or may not reappear in the story. I haven't decided.

Oh and Princess, you didn't say i had to make them key characters! and don't you try any of those threats on me! i kept my part of the deal! ~The Goddess.

I'm not sure when the next update will come. I'm going home for ten days (yay spring break) at the end of next week so i won't be working on it there. So...yeah...


Thanks for reading!
~AnaDi