**********************************

"Dr Carter! Phone call for you…" Jerry yelled a couple of hours later.

"Hang on..." Carter raced across the ER, and grabbed the phone from Jerry's big meaty hand.

"Hello?"

He listened for a moment, and heard Abby's voice greet him. He noticed that Jerry was hovering at his shoulder.

He muttered "One minute…"

He covered the mouthpiece and gave Jerry a look that said 'excuse me.'

Jerry held up his hands and busied himself with the filing on the other side of the admit desk.

"Hi."

"Hey. How's it going?"

"Apart from the fact you're not here, it's good. Nothing major as yet."

"See you when you finish? I could meet you at your place…"

"Yeah. Sophia should be there. She'll let you in. Come by if she's not and I'll give you the key."

"Ok. You want me to pick up some food?"

"Ok. See you then."

"Love you." She hung up.

"New girlfriend?" Jerry smirked at Carter.

Carter attempted the blankest of blank looks. "What?"

"Who is she? Is she hot?" Jerry was gagging for the tiniest piece of information.

Carter sighed with relief. He hadn't recognised her voice, at least. Smiling broadly, he just walked off, leaving Jerry to drive himself crazy with not knowing.

"Come on, Dr Carter! You can tell me…" Jerry shouted after him, but he was gone.

**********************************

"Hey, Haleh, Do you know anything about Carter's new girlfriend?" Jerry had been fishing for information all day.

"New girlfriend? No, why? Is it someone here? Oooh, come on, give."

"I don't know. But I think so. Any ideas?"

Malik wandered over.

"What's this?"

"Jerry thinks Dr Carter has a new girlfriend, and that it's someone here."

"Chuny."

Jerry laughed. "No way. More likely Dr Lewis…"

Malik smiled. "Care to put your money where your mouth is?"

 "Twenty American dollars says that it's Lewis." Jerry held out his hand.

Malik took it and shook it. "You're on."

Haleh piped up. "Is this a private book, or can anyone join?"

"Why, who'd you think?"

"Abby."

The men laughed. Jerry said "No way. She's with Covac, anyway."

"Not any more."

Malik raised his eyebrows "Still, Abby and Carter?"

"Twenty bucks, wasn't it?"

"It's your money…"

**********************************

The next day Abby and Carter were careful not to arrive together. They agreed that a five minute gap would be adequate. Abby entered first, mentally preparing herself for all the 'How are you?'s' and the 'Good to see you back's'

"Hey Abby, how're you feeling?" Haleh went first.

"Good, thanks…"

"Hey Abby, can you start a line on Mr Hall in 3? I'll be right there."

She knew that Susan only wanted to get her alone so she could bug her for details of the past two nights, but Abby didn't mind. "Sure." Abby disappeared.

Haleh smiled. "She looks much better."

"She does."

Carter wandered in, grinning, a bakery box tucked under his arm.

"Good morning, everyone. Look, I bought donuts!"

Susan had noted their staggered entrance, and smiled.

"Wow!" Jerry was in the box almost before he put it down. "Whoever she is, I hope she keeps you in this mood. Mmm, custard. Perfect!"

Carter tilted his head and smirked at the man who now had half a donut in his mouth.

"Morning, Dr Carter." Haleh called.

"Good morning Haleh, and how're you?" his voice bounced with enthusiasm.

"Fine…"He beamed at her. Oh, there was definitely a woman in his life.

**********************************

"It looks like a ruptured ulcer." Carter stood outside an exam room, discussing a patient with Susan.

 "Definitely. Should I call for a surgical consult?"

"Yeah, I think-" Carter jumped suddenly, and whirled just in time to see Abby disappear around a corner.

Susan sniggered. "You two are like a couple of teenagers. Did she just…?"

"She pinched me." Carter whined, but was half laughing too.

**********************************

He caught up to her later on, walking down an almost empty corridor.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself."

"You on a break?" There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Yeah. Just going out to get coffee. You want some?"

"I have a better idea."

He grabbed her hand and pulled her into an empty exam room, locking the door behind them.

**********************************

"Chuny, Is exam 1 empty?" Susan called.

Chuny shrugged. "Um, I'll go check, if you like."

"Thanks Chuny." Susan answered as Chuny disappeared.

Abby shushed Carter, gesturing emphatically to the door. He heard someone try the door again, and understood. Abby leapt off the gurney – and Carter- and pulled on her scrub top. She then set about trying to find her shoe.

Carter found his shirt, and began the hunt for his tie.

She turned to him and he turned to her, and simultaneously they mouthed "Where's my shoe?" And "Where's my tie?"

 "Locked?" Chuny muttered to herself.

They returned to their searches, franticly tearing around the room.

Carter found Abby's shoe on the top of a cabinet, Abby found Carter's tie draped over an IV pole in the corner.

She knocked lightly on the door. "Hello? Is there someone in there?"

Abby mouthed "Chuny", and Carter sighed. At least it wasn't Weaver. They exchanged their rogue items of clothing, and Abby unlocked the door and stepped outside, much to Chuny's surprise.

"Hi, Abby. What were you-"

"I have to, um, go, find something. Bye!" And with that she was gone, Chuny standing in the doorway, staring blankly after her.

"Excuse me."

Chuny whirled around, jumping visibly. "Dr Carter…" the small frown she was wearing soon changed to a smile, then into a wide impish grin.

"Are you two…?"

"We were checking the cabinets were stocked." Carter said, thinking on his feet..

Chuny raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And what?" Carter shrugged.

"Are they?"

"Yes." Carter turned to walk away, but she called after him.

"Dr Carter?"

"Yes?"

"You have a little lipstick on your…" She touched her neck, demonstrating.

He blushed, and started to rub it away. "Thanks…" He stepped up to her and lowered his voice.

"Listen, Chuny, Abby and I…"

"I won't say anything."

"Thanks Chuny. I appreciate it."

**********************************