She stood by the window in the lounge watching the day pass her by. She stood there in hope that he would appear back round the corner saying it was all a big mistake. She knew it was not going to happen. He had left her three days ago, en route to Africa. They had an argument just before he left and had never made up. It was silly to argue but they were things that needed to be said.
He had kept her hurt and alone. She had rushed to the airport to catch him and say sorry but she was too late. She had missed him by the matter of minutes. Why couldn't she just swallow her pride? She was too stubborn, just like her father.
Three days had past and she had worked through, hardly talking to anyone. Only talking when it was needed. She could not take the sympathy stares from friends. Or the constant, 'Are you okay.' So she avoided people as much as she could.
She did not hear the lounge door open. Susan stood watching her best friend fall apart. She watched as Abby brought her hand up to wipe away a rogue tear that had managed to escape from her saddened eyes. "Abby," Susan let her know that she was there in the room with her. Abby jolted with the sound of Susan's voice. "You don't need to do this on your own."
"Yes I do." Abby replied before heading out of the lounge. An ambulance had drawn up and she was off to help in someone else's trauma. Dealing with other people helped to take her mind off her own problems.
Later that afternoon Weaver caught up with Abby. "Abby, can you cover nightshift for me?" Kerry spoke to the young nurse. "Chuny has just called in sick."
"Sure Kerry." Well, it did mean she did not have to go home to the quiet of her apartment. "Anything else?"
"Yeah, are you okay?"

"I wish people would stop asking me that." Abby said before walking away. She found herself walking into the drug lock-up. Best do and inventory for that night. She smiled when she thought of the last time she and Carter had been in the lock-up together. He had been nuzzling her neck trying to get her attention. She was doing her best to ignore him but she could not for very long. She turned in his arm's and kissed him long and passionately on the lips. 'God how I wish he was here.'

The following morning Susan entered the ER. The first person she saw was Abby. She looked terrible. Was that not the same top she was wearing yesterday. Surely she had not been here all night. Then she spotted Kerry. "Kerry, has Abby been home recently?" Susan spoke out of concern for her friend.
"She worked night shift last night for me." Kerry said looking over that day's schedule. She was not only a doctor down but now two nurses.
"Yeah but she started at six yesterday morning. She looks shattered." Susan said taking her coat off. "Take it last night was busy?"
"Chen said they didn't get a minute. Susan I'm sire she'll be fine." Kerry replied before hobbling away to a patient.
Susan watched Abby for another minute before going into the lounge to hang up her coat. Abby opened the door and made her way across to the coffee maker. "Morning."
"Hi Susan." Abby replied as she poured herself a cup of the scolding hot liquid. "Last night was a nightmare. Trauma after trauma. Glad it's quiet now."
"You off?" Susan enquired. She put her arm through the white of her lab coat. She liked the feeling of the coat.
"No, not till three." Abby said wearily.
"But you've been here since six yesterday morning."
"The perks of being nurse manager. See you later Susan." Abby said making her way back out of the room.