Disclaimer: I do not own the original ER characters, however I have made up a few of my own

The Mistakes We Make: Part Six

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"Dr. Carter," the maid said, getting no response. "Dr. Carter. It's seven." He cowered lower into his pillow and mumbled something that sounded almost half-French and half-English. "Dr. Carter. It's time to get up." She watched silently from the door as he rolled over and realized the other side of the bed was cold. He shielded his eyes from the light in the hall as he sat up and searched the room. "Alger took your guest to the airport an hour ago," she told him.

"Thank you," he whispered as she slipped out the door. He threw the covers back and stepped onto the ground, still half-asleep. He felt numb to the world as he showered and picked out clothes for work. Shaving didn't matter anymore. He was getting use to having the scruffy beard and Gillian didn't seem to mind. Gillian was like him. She didn't really care about anything anymore. He was zipping up his slacks when Alger knocked on the door.

"Dr. Carter," he said.

"Yes."

"Your lady friend wanted me to give you this letter. And to tell you she would be in touch. And we should probably leave in a couple minutes."

"Okay. I'll meet you downstairs," Carter said grabbing his button-up shirt, a jacket and his backpack, before walking out of the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Look who's tan," Susan said when he walked out of the lounge putting on his stethoscope and badge.

"Jealous?" he asked as he glanced at the empty board. "Nice day to come back." He reached into his pocket and took out the folded letter.

"Love letter from Abby?" Susan asked. Carter didn't respond as he opened the envelope and reached inside to take out the papers.

"What's that?" Pratt asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"Damn it," Carter muttered in frustration.

"It's in French," Pratt pointed out.

"I know," Carter said annoyed.

"Abby doesn't know French," Susan said.

Carter just glanced at her before looking down at the paper.

"Fax, Carter," Frank said.

"How can I have a fax? I don't even have any patients." He took it and looked over the first page before flipping through the others in frustration.

"Hey Abby," Susan said. Carter didn't bother glancing over his shoulder as he continued to decipher the letters.

"That slow, huh?" Abby asked walking into the lounge.

"Jerry, do we have a French dictionary around here?" Carter asked.

"No, why?"

"Nevermind. I'm going to find something to do," Carter said walking down the hall.

"Is it me or does something seem wrong?" Deb asked.

"I'll talk to him," Pratt said. "Guy to guy talk."

Carter was walking up the first flight of stairs to the library when he brushed shoulders with another doctor.

"Excuse me," Carter said.

"Hey Carter, wait up," Pratt yelled.

"You're Dr. Carter?" the man he bumped into said stopping Carter in his tracks.

"Yeah. Who are you?" Carter asked looking away from his papers. The man should have been on a beach instead of in a hospital. Pratt arrived at his side.

"Dr. Andy Pearson. Pedes resident. I started a few weeks ago. I've heard great things about you. You were in Africa right? I've been to Kenya on vacation. I hope it wasn't all business."

Carter stood just listening to the guy. Once he glanced at Pratt who just shrugged.

"Andy, right?" The guy nodded. "Point. Don't talk first," Carter said before turning and continuing upstairs.

"What was that?" Pratt asked.

"Why are you following me?" Carter asked stepping into the library and picking out a French dictionary.

"Trouble in paradise," Pratt suggested.

"No, I'm perfect. I just need a damn dictionary."

"I know a little French," Pratt said.

"That's okay. Since I don't know what it says, I don't think you should read it."

They started walking back downstairs.

"How was Africa?"

"Ask me tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Because then I'll have pictures." They stepped back into admit right on time.

"Another fax, Carter."

"If this is in French . . ." he started before flipping the cover page and reading. "Um, jerry, find me the number for Dr. Jeremy Rockford. He's in Italy."

"Okay."

"Who do you know in Italy?" Susan asked.

"That's where they took Luka."

"How is he?" Deb asked.

"Sick. Malaria. He lost a lot of blood in surgery to repair damage from a bullet. Apparently they have a bullet that tears through everything in its path. Head to toe."

"Are you talking about Luka?" Abby asked walking up.

"Yes," Carter said before opening his dictionary.

"Is he okay?" Abby asked.

"Peachy. I have things to do," he said before walking off.

"Things okay between you two?" Susan asked.

"Um, I don't know. He won't talk to me," Abby confessed.

"Any specific reason why?" Deb asked.

"Hey, what's with that Dr. Carter?" Andy asked walking up

"What'd he say to you?" Abby asked, shocked that they already ran into each other.

"Not to talk unless spoken to."

"He's such a jerk," Abby said under his breath.

"Well, that's one way to talk about your boyfriend," Pratt said.

"He's not my boyfriend," Abby blurted out.

"Since when?" Susan asked.

"Can we not have this conversation?" Abby asked before walking off.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's Note: Please continue to R&R and offer up suggestions about how to continue my story.