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

Survival: Part Five

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Susan had reluctantly left Carter in his house alone. If he had attempted to sleep, he didn't show it. Susan was so worried about him that she called once an hour just to make sure he was okay. She watched he walk into the ER the next day and avoided her at all costs. In fact, he avoided everyone and went straight upstairs without a word to anyone. At one point Abby was walking next to him and from far away Susan could see her talking but he gave no response. When they reached the elevators he stepped in and left her standing there feeling helpless as the doors slid shut, cutting them off.

"Anyone seen Carter?" Jerry asked an hour later.

"Upstairs in a meeting," Pratt said.

"What for?" Susan asked.

"No one knows. I heard from Romano's assistant."

"Hold on," Jerry said as he replaced the cradle. And if on cue Kerry and Carter walked down the hall toward admit.

"You can't just walk out. There are a lot of questions we need answered. I have people coming over as we speak who want to talk to you," Kerry said as Carter reached for his messages.

"I do not owe you any explanations. Private life is private."

"Where are you going?" Kerry asked as he started toward the lounge.

"Away from here. There's a little girl at home that really needs a family. She can depend on me. So give up. You've done enough. I quit," he said shocking everyone standing there. A few minutes later he walked out of the lounge carrying his bag. He handed Jerry his tag.

"You wouldn't happen to have time to take one last call? She says it's urgent."

"Fine. Who is it?" He tried to ignore the stares of his former co- workers and the presence of Susan at his side.

"Gillian?"

Carter took the phone as Frank gave the growing crowd another reason to gossip.

"What's wrong? The clinic was empty. Fine. I have to make some arrangements and then I'll be there. Be safe. I'm coming. I promise." He hung up the phone and turning around he ran into Abby.

"Is it true?" she asked.

"I have to go."

"John, how many times are you going to do this?"

"You tell me," he said as he walked past her and out the doors. He was barely to the parking garage when Susan stopped him.

"What happened?" she asked.

He took a deep breath, his face cringing as his free hand pressed on his ribs. Then he ran his hand through his hair and waited for the pain to subside before he looked intently at her.

"They wanted me to take leave. Make sure the drugs were fully out of my system. Kerry suggested more counseling and Romano said I should lose my position and all privileges of handling drugs and needles. Back to where we started. Then they wanted answers. Where did the burns come from? Who caused the bruising? Where's Luka? What happened in Africa?"

"Where is Luka?"

He looked at her, not sure what he should say.

"He's in Africa. Somewhere." Carter whispered the latter as he looked into the sky and sighed. "No one can find him. He's suspected to be dead."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"Because I just found out. I have to go. The longer I wait, the longer Luka suffers," he said as he started walking off. "I wouldn't go telling people about this," he finished before he disappeared around the corner.

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Word came to Kerry a few weeks later that Carter had found Luka dead in the jungle. The harder she tried, the more it became impossible to find Carter. Now Kerry had to replace two doctors. Except Kerry had to be a professional and so did everyone else. While they mourned for the loss of Luka and became curious over the whereabouts of Carter, it never got in the middle of their work. The ER continued one. Gallant matched at County. Pratt and Deb got engaged and Abby slowly began to see what truly independent life was life, dating occasionally. Never drank, quit smoking. Things seemed to look up. Especially when the new doctor showed up. Even Susan was venturing out more with men.

"Excuse me. We need to see a doctor," a woman said walking up to Susan and Abby who were laughing over a stupid e-mail.

"What's wrong?" Susan asked.

"I have a student who fell off the monkey bars at the park. She's sitting in chairs but I have a bus full of students and I need to get back to them or they'll run wild. Her father will come and get her. I have a call into him already."

"We'll take good care of her," Susan promised as the woman exited the ER. Susan walked over to the little girl sitting in chairs who looked perfectly fine. "Hi. I'm Dr. Lewis. This is Abby. We're going to help you out."

"I'm Stella," the girl said and sat back slightly frightened when she saw Susan's shocked expression.

"What's wrong?" Abby asked Stella, not seeing Susan.

"I think I broke my arm. I heard it crack. Did you call my mom?" she asked.

"No, but your teacher called your dad."

"My dad's in Europe. I've never met him." Abby looked at Susan.

"Okay. Why don't we get you into a room? Abby, grab a chart." Abby walked off down the hall and Susan led Stella to an empty room. "Stella Carter?"

"No. Carter is Scooter's last name. My last name is Harston."

"Do you know how to get a hold of Carter?" The girl shook her head as Abby walked back in. "Okay. I'll work on that and you let Abby get your arm fixed up, okay?" Susan asked.

"Thanks," Stella said as Susan walked out.

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Author's Note: Please continue to R&R and offer you suggestions.