Steam clouds rose from her almost empty cup of coffee resting on the table. Rain fell gently on the outside of the diner. She thought it looked like a painting from a museum she attended as a child. A smile fell at the corners of the man she sat in front of. His soothing, Croatian accent awoke her from her daydream.
" Are you alright? You seem distracted."
" I'm fine." she responded
" You were never good at lying, Abby." he kidded
The waitress came to their table bringing her another cup of black coffee. She mumbled, "Thank you," as the young girl fluttered away.
" I'm fine, Luka. Really."
" Have you talked to Carter?" he asked
She scoffed.
" We broke up."
His warm smile turned to a frown. "Oh."
*~*~*~*~*~*
" Thanks Dr.Weaver. Really." said Carter
" You're welcome, John. I know that you're the best! You'll do us proud. You already have."
" Speaking of, I have work to do."
" Go save lives."
John Carter smiled to himself. It was really about time. He took the elevator down to the ER from Kerry Weaver's office. It was strange at first being called to her office, but the good news he received was worth the ride. He was finally obtaining the attending position he thought he deserved.
" What was the meeting with Weaver about Carter?" asked Susan clearing a patient off the board.
" You're looking at Cook County General's newest ER attending!" he exclaimed proudly.
" Congrats." she replied pallidly
" You knew didn't you."
" Yeah."
Her manipulative smile turned into a wide smirk.
" I thought we were friends."
" No, I hate you. Who's gonna be chief resident?"
" Pratt?" he chaffed
" God, I hope not."
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Oh." he replied dully
" It's OK. I'll survive."
Sure she would survive. Maybe physically, but a crystallized point in her mind said not mentally. He took her hands in his and gave her a genuine grin. In this moment, he put her in some sort of frozen state-of-mind in which he could keep her forever.
" Luka, I agreed to coffee not a marriage proposal."
He realized what he was exercising, and his face turned a bright shade of crimson.
" I have to get back to work."
She drank the last drop of her coffee, grabbed her purse, and made her way across the street.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The ache in his head descended from the back to his forehead, the circles under his eyes were now fully formed, and his facial hair was growing every second. The 5 O'clock shadow that suited him so well had been there too long. He had shed his lab coat and donned scrubs hours ago. Sitting in Frank's chair, he was catching up on charts while dozing off every thirty seconds.
A young, but aging woman, without him knowing it, stood in front of him.
" Don't forget to sign your name at the bottom." she suggested watching look over it.
He glanced up recognizing the familiar face. He never forgot a face like that.
" Harper!" he exclaimed
" Carter. How have you been?"
" Busy."
" Same. Your position is?"
" ER attending. You?"
" That's great, and Northwestern. Chief resident of surgery."
" Great. Dating anyone?"
" Single as of this moment."
" So, you wouldn't mind if I ask you out to dinner?"
He was out on a limb. He knew it too, but if she said no he would lie. He was making a joke. Luckily......
She accepted whole heartily.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Before all you Carby people kill me, I decided to jump the wagon. Hear me out. I haven't decided what it's gonna be yet. I'm all for Carby, but I'm all for Luby too! I'm a Carby at heart, but I won't kill anyone for writing any other. Let's just say I am open for suggestions and other opinions. At first, this story was Carter POV, but I changed it. I decided to change it. I needed to write some Abby scenes too so I decided against it. I hope you're not mad! I love your reviews. Thanks to my girl Kenzie for encouraging me to write this-love ya! Not-so-dumb-blonde.
