Chapter 3

When I Need You The Most

The next morning,

Carter woke up and went to check on Abby in the guest room. He looked at her sleeping peacefully, not a care in the world. "She looks so peaceful," Carter thought smiling a little. Carter was just about to leave her room when Abby woke up.

" Morning, John" said Abby softly as she crawled out of the bed. She groaned a little as she felt how stiff and sore her body was.

" Morning, Abby. Did you sleep okay?"

" Yeah, I guess." she said quietly.

" Abby is everything okay?" asked Carter. Abby then looked at Carter and blurted out. " I was scared last night, I thought that he would come back and get me! " Abby then realized what she had said and couldn't believe that she had just said that to Carter. She backed away from Carter, as she felt terrible. She didn't mean to snap at him like that.

" I'm sorry, Carter" Abby said gently.

" Don't be. I'm here whenever you need me. I will never let that man hurt you again. I promise," said Carter as he hugged her , unaware to them that Susan had just entered the room and saw the whole thing and decided it would be best if she came back later.

" Abby, I don't have to go to work today, so we could pick up your stuff if you feel up to it that is "

" Sure, I'll go get ready."

While Abby was in the shower all she could think was about Carter, she didn't realize how much she missed his company, and she couldn't believe how generous he was being to her by letting her stay at his place until Brian's trial.

Abby then got out of the shower and got dressed and went to Carter, who was in the living room.

" I'm ready, " said Abby with a little smile.

Carter then touched Abby's eye. "Does it hurt a lot today?"

" It's getting better." Abby then looked up at Carter as he touched her face." John, you don't know how much this means to me, being here. I don't know what I would do if I had to go to that apartment on my own. Thank you."

" Abby… I will always be there for you, we are friends remember," said Carter gently.

" Yeah, I know," said Abby."I guess I just forget how much your friendship meant to me, with you dating Susan!"

" Abby, I know that I haven't been much of a friend lately. I'm really sorry about that"

" It's fine Carter, really. " said Abby softly.

" Come on, why don't we go pick up your stuff"

" Okay"

Abby wasn't sure if she wanted to go back to her apartment, it's not that she was afraid or anything, but it is just that it would bring back all the bad memories of that night.

" Carter, I don't think I can do this," said Abby softly as soon as they got to her apartment. Carter then hugged Abby. " Abby, I will be with you the whole time, we'll just get a few things, and then we will leave right away.

" Okay.. Fine" said Abby. Abby then opened the door and that night flashed before her eyes.

" Brian, no! "screamed Abby.

" Abby… Abby " said Carter.

" No, don't hurt me again, " said Abby.

" Abby, it's John.

Abby then snapped out her memory, and saw that it wasn't Brian here, that is was only Carter.

" Oh, Carter" cried Abby in Carter's arms.

" Abby it's alright, I'll just get a few things and we can get out of here.

" Thanks," said Abby. Abby couldn't believe that she just cried in front of Carter. What was I thinking, thought Abby.

" All done, let's go" said Carter. They then left the apartment.

***

A couple days later,

Carter and Abby are walking home from work.

" So Carter, I think that I should move out of your place"

" Why?" asked Carter.

" I can't expect to live at your place forever. I have to go back to my apartment sometime, and now that Brian has moved out, I can move back in.

" Abby, listen to me, I really love your company, I want you to stay with me, please"

" Well, I don't know John, okay, I'll stay until the end of the weekend"

" Fine" said Carter" If that is what you want"

When Carter and Abby got to Carter's house, Susan was waiting for Carter on the porch.

" I'll see you in the morning, " said Abby as she went into the house.

" Susan… why don't we go for a walk." suggested Carter.

" Sure." said Susan

" John… don't you think that you are spending just a little to much time with Abby?" Susan suddenly asked as they walked.

" Susan. Abby is my friend and she has been through a lot lately with getting attacked."

" Yeah. I know that, but she does have other friends you know. What about Luka?"

" Susan, I know what it is like to be attacked and feel like that there is nothing anybody can do to make the pain go away. I took drugs to make the pain go away. I'm just trying to help Abby, in a way that I wish someone had helped me, maybe I wouldn't have used drugs if I had friend to talk to. That's all I'm doing, I'm just being a friend.

" John, I think it is more that that. I think that you want to be more than friends with Abby,"

" Susan, I'm with you, not Abby. Where are you getting this? " Carter asked.

" John, I really have to go now, just listen to what I have to say" said Susan as she walked off.

" Susan, don't walk off like that" said Carter

" John, I don't want to be a substitute for Abby, " said Susan angrily.

" You aren't, " said Carter as he kissed Susan.

" Really," smiled Susan

" Yes.."

Carter and Susan then went into the house.

***

The next morning,

Carter woke up, and he looked to his side and saw that Susan was resting on his chest. Carter couldn't believe what Susan said to him last night, that he was still in love with Abby and that Susan was a substitute for Abby, how could she think that.

" Morning John" said Susan

" Morning Susan." I think we need to talk."

To be continued.....