Chapter Three - Hanging By a Moment

Four hours and three malls later, John and Abby were struggling to carry all John's new things back to the car. He had spent more money than Abby had in her entire life! A new set of furniture for the lounge, a new dining table and chairs, a new bathroom had been ordered, a new desk and bookshelf, and most importantly, a new bed. All these things had been ordered and should all be arriving by the weekend. Carter was carrying bags of wallpaper and tins of paint, while Abby carried small decorations like candles, which had been chosen by her, a lamp and a new kettle.

"I think you bought enough to last you a lifetime John."

"As long as you're there for it then I don't mind."

"I'm sure I can arrange that, let me check my diary though."

He smirked at her, and leaned over to give her a quick kiss before reaching into his pocket for the keys. They had gotten to the car and Abby waited patiently for him to unlock it. They carefully loaded all the stuff into the boot and climbed into the car. It was now gone eight in the evening and Abby was getting a little tired.

"I'm gonna take you home, then head back to mine just to drop off this stuff then come back for you okay?"

"Why can't I just come back with you now?"

"Because..."

"Because what?"

"Just because." He said smiling to himself.

'What was he up to?' Abby thought as he drove her back to her apartment.

"Here we are. I'll be back to get you in half an hour okay? Make sure you're ready."

"I still don't see why I can't come now."

"You will. See you in a bit Abby."

She shut the door and mouthed 'bye' before he drove off down the street. 'Curious, very curious.'

9pm - Abby's apartment

'Knock Knock'

Abby ran to the door and opened it almost immediately.

"Decided not to make me wait this time huh?!"

"Yeah only cos I wanna know what you're up to."

"Ahhh all will be revealed shortly my sweet."

"I don't trust you!"

"Oh I'm hurt. You ready?"

"As I'll ever be!"

He stood back for her to walk past and swiftly closed the door behind him. As they got in the car Abby's favourite tune was playing on the radio already half way through.

I'm falling even more in love with you Letting go of all I've held on to I'm standing here until you make me move I'm hanging by a moment here with you

"I love this song" Abby said as she hummed along.

"You do? I got their album the other day, it's pretty good."

"Really? I may have to borrow it sometime!"

"If I let you that is."

"You better."

"Anything for you." He smiled at her and she glared back, but couldn't pretend to be angry anymore and a smile spread across her face.

"Well we're here."

Carter unbuckled his seatbelt and got out the car. He walked round to Abby's side and opened her door waiting for her to get out. She didn't move.

"Are you coming in or what?"

"Um..yeah yeah."

She cautiously got out, leaving Carter feeling slightly worried.

"You okay? You seem a little..jumpy."

"Just nervous."

"Of what?"

Abby just gave him a simple look that told him why. He stopped walking and pulled her towards him, with his arms around her waist staring into her eyes.

"Abby, I'm nervous too, but I don't let it bother me because I know it's something I want to do, and hopefully what you want to do, and that we have waited long enough. Well at least I have anyway!" "You're right. I know you're right. It just scares me a little. I'm losing your friendship and what if we break up? It will be beyond fixing if we do this."

"What makes you think we are gonna break up? Well not for at least a day, I intend to stay for the whole night if that's okay."

"That sounds like a plan!"

They laughed together and Carter gave her one quick kiss as he led her up to his apartment. He turned the key in the lock and opened the door slowly for Abby to walk through. Abby stopped in her tracks as she saw what he had done to his apartment. Petals from dead flowers had been scattered around the whole place, on the floor, on the sofa, all around. Candles had been lit in a sort of path leading to his bedroom, and there was a familiar scent surrounding her. The place was beautiful, it was special. He had planned this, like it was her first time ever having sex, he was so thoughtful, and she loved him for it.

"John! It's...it's beautiful."

"You like it? It's not too much?"

"It's perfect. Thank you."

She leaned in to give him a kiss. He knew she was nervous already, so he made it just right for her to feel at ease. She knew he had gone to all this so she was relaxed, but was he nervous? He probably was as he was twitching like mad. Carter closed the door behind him and took Abby's coat and his and hung them on the back of the door.

"Would you like a drink?"

"Yeah sure. What have you got?"

"Not much, I've got some sparkling cider if you want?"

"Sounds great."

"Sit down, make yourself comfortable."

She followed his instructions and sat down on the couch, waiting for the inevitable. Her heart was beating so fast right now, faster than it ever had. Faster than when she was about to have sex with Howie Thomas off the lacrosse team, God that was bad. Talk about uncomfortable. But this was different. This time she loved him, the man she was about to have sex with, she loved. For the first time in her life she loved someone, it was a lot to take, but she was handling it, because she knew that if she let it worry her, she wouldn't be sitting here right now, she would be half way down the street running as fast as she could home.

"There you go. Cider a la sparkle."

"Why thank you."

She took a sip and murmured her appreciation. He smiled at her and took a sip himself.

"So how are you feeling now?" He asked, concerned a little that it was too much for her.

"I'm..yeah I'm okay. Just a little shocked you went to so much trouble."

"Nothing is too much for you Abby. It was nothing really."

"It's a lot John. Nobody has ever done this for me before. Nobody. It means a lot to me."

"You're welcome."

They finished their drinks and then silence fell upon them once more. Carter reached out for Abby's hand, and took it as he moved across to her slowly. She sat, motionless, waiting for him to make his move. What now? What if she messed up and did something wrong? Oh God, what if she wasn't any good?! He was very close to her now, almost close enough to touch lips, but not quite.

"Abby, I know this is a big step for us, but I think..I know we're ready for this. But if you don't feel.."

She interrupted him.

"No, I am ready. It's just a big thing. For me, for us. It's..it's us, you know? I never thought we'd be doing this for real."

"Me neither. I only ever..thought about it."

An embarrassed smile spread across his face and he dropped his head to hide the redness that appeared.

"Why Dr Carter I do believe you're blushing?!"

"Is it hot in here or is it just me?"

"I think it's hot in here."

She smiled at him as he lifted his head again to look deeply into her eyes. He grabbed the CD remote and pressed play. Seconds later 'Hanging by a Moment' began, and Abby once more at him. She leaned in for a kiss and their lips met for the first time in what seemed like forever. He reciprocated and put his right arm around her waist. She lifted her hand to his cheek and rested the other on his neck. She then moved her arms to around his neck pulling him closer as they lay back onto the couch. He lay on top of her, kissing her feverishly, not ever wanting to stop.

"I think we need to move to somewhere more comfortable."

"You sure?" He asked, not wanting to rush her. He started to think it was rude of him to prepare this, assuming that she wanted to sleep with him.

"Positive."

"Alright then."

He picked her up and carried her slowly to his bedroom whilst kissing her along the way. They reached the bedroom and she marvelled in his thoughtfulness once more. The bed was covered with petals and candles were lit all around the room, and soft music could be heard coming from the lounge. He placed her down and she looked around at all the little delicacies placed around the room.

"John this is so sweet."

"You like it then?"

"I love it."

She turned to look at him, she moved forward to him as he kicked the door closed with his foot. She wrapped her arms around his neck and just looked into his eyes.

"I love you John."

He stood glued to the spot, stunned at her words, he couldn't believe he had finally heard her say it to him. He had only imagined it in his wildest dreams.

"You..you do?"

"More than anything."

"You don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that!"

"Oh I think I can. About as long as I've waited to say it!"

"I love you too Abby. With all my heart."

"I'm glad we've cleared that up John, cos I'm getting kinda bored standing here."

"Oh really? Well we can soon sort that out."

He picked her up and walked her across to the bed placing her carefully on it, and then climbing on next to her. What next? His heart was beating so fast he was sure she could hear it. Calm down John, just breathe and it'll be alright. Little did he know she was thinking exactly the same thing. He turned over to face her, and she turned her head to look at him. They just held each others hand for a while, when Carter leaned in for another kiss. It started off slow, but then gradually began to get faster as their urgency for one another became more apparent. He lifted himself up and put one arm over her body and leaned on it as he slowly began to undo the front of her shirt. She hung her arms round his neck as their kissing marathon continued.

His skill at unbuttoning became clear as her shirt was undone within mere seconds. He quickly removed her shirt then swiftly took off his shirt as he marvelled at her toned stomach and perfect breasts. Even though it wasn't the first time he had seen her in this way, he was more aroused than before, more than he had ever been in his life. She began to move her hands up and down his front, and tugged slightly at the rim of his sweat pants. He realised her want for him to remove them so, without a seconds thought he stripped them off and was left with just his boxers.

He stood in front of her, in his underwear, staring at her half naked body. He rested his knee on the edge of the bed and tucked his hands in the elastic of her trousers as she lifted her hips for him to remove her pants. She then lay on the bed in her lacy black underwear, looking more beautiful than she ever had. He didn't think that was possible, but he was wrong. He moved slowly over her and began to kiss her neck as she silently released breaths of relaxation. She felt more relaxed now, more comfortable. More comfortable than she had ever felt in bed with a man.

What now? She was lying on Carter's bed, in her underwear, waiting for the inevitable. Did she pull him into her or wait for him to come to her. His kissed began to go lower and lower down her body. He reached behind her back and skilfully unclipped her bra, and it was off before she even realised it was undone. He then began to kisses around her breasts, not wanting to rush her or move too fast. He lowered down her until her reached her belly button. He kissed around it and lowered until he reached the rim of her panties. He looked up for her approval, and she nodded in confirmation.

He slowly pulled them off as she lifted her hips so it was easier for them to slide off. He sat back and took in what was lying before him on his bed. Abby. Naked. Really naked. He had only ever dreamed this, and now it was a reality he thought it wasn't real. He touched her ankle, then moved up her thigh, she was real. Very real. He kissed up her legs until her reached her most private place. Without a moments thought he entered her with his tongue and began to work slowly until she reached the brink of her orgasm. He could hear her breathing become more heavy, and worked faster until he could feel she was ready for release. She called out his name, this pleased him, hearing her call him name, not Luka's, his. He hadn't felt this aroused for so long.

After he finished with her there, he slowly moved up her body again, to her belly button once more, licking it inside and around. Then further up, to her breasts, he sucked at them till they were even more hard, then moving even further up to her neck, and onto her lips again. It was like they were never gone. She had missed them, but somehow she could still feel them on her. He carried on his assault on her lips till her breathing had ceased, and they stopped momentarily to stare into each others eyes.

"Are you okay?" He asked, waiting for her to say it wasn't what she wanted and it was all a big mistake.

She nodded in thanks for his thoughtfulness once more and kissed him again. He began to work her breasts, his hand kneading them lightly as she moaned in appreciation.

"John, please."

Without a seconds thought he entered her swiftly. This sudden movement caught her by surprise, but she liked it. He began slowly, the pace getting faster as he continued. She carried on moaning as they both set a rhythm together that was comfortable. After minutes of a steady pace, he slowed and then stopped to look into her eyes. She smiled weakly at him and the look in her eyes told him she wanted more. He began again, sending her off into another dimension once more.

This time the beat became faster more quickly and soon they were going at such a rate it was a wonder they could continue for long. The longer it went on the closer they both came to the edge. He could hear her breathing becoming more frantic as did his. He knew it wouldn't be long before they both came over the edge. She heard his breathing also become heavier and heavier as time went by. Seconds later Abby let out a loud groan as did Carter and he collapsed on her as they slowly recovered from their climax.

"That was amazing Abby."

"I've had better."

"Oh yeah?!"

"Actually no. But it sounded good!"

"Oh really.."

He gave her a sly smile as he rolled over next to her and began to tickle her ribs and waist. She giggled and began screaming for him to stop. He always knew how to press the right buttons she thought, as he carried on tormenting her. After he stopped, he got out of bed quickly and went into the lounge for a moment. She wondered what he was doing, but soon he returned with a cd case and took it out the box, placing it into the cd player in the corner of his room. The music from the lounge had ceased, and within seconds the strumming of the guitar began. The Calling. Another one of her favourites. Carter always knew what music to play, and what drinks to get, and what food to order. That was one of the many things she loved about him.

"I love these guys." Abby said as he climbed back into bed.

"I know. What's your favourite?"

"Song?"

"Yeah."

"Probably..Wherever you will go, it such a great love song."

"You know, that's the song I used to listen to when I was thinking about you. Hoping you were alright, hoping if you weren't you'd call me so I could make you alright."

"Really?"

He nodded in affirmation.

"John you never told me you were such an old romantic."

"There are a lot of things I haven't told you Abby. I will though. I will."

"Good. Cos I'm very curious as to what else you're hiding behind that mask of yours."

"Oh too much to tell Abby!"

They giggled together as he planted another kiss on her lips. It was now just gone 12 midnight, and the two were feeling sleepy.

"You tired?"

"A little. You working tomorrow?"

"No Weaver told me that we had three days off after the Lockdown. Didn't I tell you?"

"Obviously not Carter otherwise I wouldn't have asked!"

"Oh, well I'm sorry. I guess I forgot. Too busy thinking about you."

She tilted her head up and smiled at him, but she felt her eyelids getting heavier by the second.

"I'm gonna go to sleep Carter."

"Me too. Goodnight Abby."

"Night John."

He slid down the bed a little so they were right next to each other and he moved closer, pulling her back into him and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Abby?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"Yeah..I know."

He smiled to himself, he always loved her playful banter.

"I love you too John."

There you have it! Chapter 3. Sorry about the awful sex scene but I felt it needed to be done! No more I promise! Ab ;)