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

Apprehension: Fact or Fiction

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"Where's that book?" Carter asked as he returned to admit a few minutes later and took it from Frank as he picked up the phone. He flipped through the pages quickly before he found the name he was looking for. He listened as numerous names were mentioned before he pressed the corresponding number. A moment later a secretary came on. "Yes, Dr. John Carter. It's an emergency."

"Hey, are my labs back?" Susan asked walking up.

"Check the bin," Frank told her. She walked past Abby and saw her watching Carter from a slight distance.

"Who's he talking too?" Susan asked. Abby shrugged.

"No. I can't hold. Get her on the phone." He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and Abby's eyes widened when Carter suddenly began speaking fairly fluent French to communicate.

"Carter speaks French?" Abby asked. Susan didn't answer, knowing that with it came an explanation.

"What's going on?" Susan asked him, leaning on the desk next to him.

"Family crisis I guess. Avery Tracy is sitting in chairs." Susan glanced over her shoulder to see the girl reading a book.

"Avery Tracy?" Susan questioned.

"Can I explain later?" he asked.

"Sure. Need some help. I'm off but I can stick around," she said.

"I have more stuff to do, but I don't want to leave her waiting in chairs," he whispered as they both looked at the girl.

"I'll take her with me. Cook some dinner, she can take a bath and sleep in a bed. This can't be a good place for her."

"You're an angel," he said. "I'll be over around ten."

"Okay," Susan said as she walked over to the girl. "Hi, Avery right?" she asked sitting down. The girl nodded. "I'm Susan. I'm a really good friend of Dr. Carter's. He has to finish working but I thought you might be hungry and tired."

"Yeah."

"Then let's get you out of here," Susan said as she picked up the girl's bag and together they entered the lounge. As they were exiting Susan looked over her shoulder and waved, getting a mouthed "Thank You" from Carter.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Abby was surprised a couple days later when she turned the key in Andrew's apartment and stepped in to find Carter there. His back was to her as he stared at the TV screen.

"Where's your new buddy?" she asked as she closed the door. He didn't answer. "Already scare her off?"

"Mind your own damn business," he said from his spot.

"I'm just trying to be your friend."

"I don't want you to be my friend."

"What do you want?" she asked, silently hoping his answer was what she wanted. What she didn't know was that he was battling between the devil and the angel as if to be brutally honest, make a joke, or lie.

"I want you to leave me alone," he said, emphasizing the 'you' part.

Abby didn't hesitate at the chance to get him to open up to her, even a little bit. "Where's your friend? The little girl."

"She's nine. She's not my friend and she's not here."

"Where'd she go?"

"The girl's took her shopping and to a movie."

"What girls?"

"Why do you care? Jealous that I didn't ask you?"

"Maybe. Am I not good enough?"

"No, I just didn't think you wanted to go out with all the women I've slept with. I wouldn't wanting you picking a fight," he told her.

"So she's with Susan?"

"I don't think Susan fits into that category," he said.

"You haven't slept with her?"

"She's not out with Avery," he said. "Besides, what makes you think I've slept with Susan? I'm pretty sure she told you we hadn't slept together."

"It's the rumor around town."

"Don't believe rumors about me. They're never true."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, because there was a rumor that we were engaged and that wasn't true."

"Who's the girl's mother?"

"None of your business."

"Are you always this secretive?" Abby asked.

"My private life is private and none of your concern."

"What's going on with you and Susan then?"

"Nothing."

"It's far from nothing."

"Why do you care?" he asked.

"Because you're my friend and I think some of your choices are wrong."

"I didn't ask for your opinion."

The door opened and another blonde appeared.

"You just have them coming out of the woodwork, don't you?" Abby asked.

"Find a hobby," Carter told her as he turned and looked at the woman. "Is knocking not in your forte?"

"Aren't we the gentleman?" the woman asked.

"I missed you, too." He walked over toward them, turning off the TV as he did. "This is Abby. Andrew's girlfriend. Abby, this is Harper. Avery's mother."

"You don't have to tell me that. She's not your type."

"Excuse me?" Abby asked.

"John doesn't like brunettes. Isn't it apparent?" she asked. "The other Abby was blonde, Anna's blonde, Dr. Lewis is blonde."

"Are all the women you sleep with this informed about your sex life?" Abby asked.

"Informed?" Harper asked. "I created what he is today."

"Don't even start that," he said. "I'm sure you said the same thing about Doug Ross."

"Who is your claim to fame then? Who taught you how to use procedures in the way you do?" Harper asked.

"This is not about me."

"Where is my daughter?" Harper asked.

"She's not here."

"Aren't we responsible. Why she ran to you is beyond me."

"We both know this latest guy is pretty rough."

"Not much more than you," Harper said with a wink, which resulted in a look from Abby.

"Can you excuse us?" he asked Abby, without taking his eyes off Harper.

"What? She doesn't know about your secret past? Or are you going soft on me now? 'I only sleep with girl's I'm in love with' kind of thing?"

"That's not how it works."

"How does it work now? Going to hookers now too? You have the money for it. As long as you can remain detached and unemotional then it's perfect, right?"

"Every woman is different."

"So you do roam the streets for women?" Harper asked.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's Note: Please continue to R&R and I'll continue to update.