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

Apprehension: Surprise (Times Two)

~*~*~*~*~*~

"How was your day off?" Susan asked as Carter picked up another chart as he grabbed his messages. It had been a good day. Not too many urgent patients, he liked the calm day. He didn't have to rush. He could spend more time with his patients. So far no one had died and he was just looking forward to going home to relax.

"Wonderful," he said as he signed off on another patient. "So, how many rumors are going around?"

"About?"

"My wife?" he suggested, using his fingers as quotations.

"Oh, that's kind of old news," she said with a smile. "We really need to talk though."

"Okay. Come find me when you're on your break." He didn't give her time to demand now was the time to talk as he walked off to work with yet another patient.

The minutes ticked by quickly as his shift came to a close. He was finishing charts for his last patient when he heard the big news.

"Hey Carter, what to place a bet as to who the father of the baby is?" Chuny asked.

"What baby?"

"Dr. Lewis. She announced yesterday that she was pregnant." Carter looked at the nurse. "What?"

"Nothing. I need some fresh air," he said quickly, pulling at his tie as he left to the ambulance bay and slowly sat down against the wall.

"Anyone seen Carter?" Susan asked.

"Outside. I'd steer clear. He's acting strange," Malik said.

"What do you mean?"

"I asked him about your 'announcement' and he freaked out."

"Why? You shouldn't have said anything." Susan said before quickly disappeared outside. She didn't want him to find out this way.

"I'm changing my vote," Haleh said.

"Why? Isn't this adolescent?" Abby asked.

"Carter took the news badly. Susan flipped when she found out he knew. My guess is there's a little more going on between them than anyone knows," Haleh said.

"They dated a long time ago. We're all aware of that," Abby defended. She didn't want to admit to herself that maybe Carter could be the father of Susan's baby and that her two best friends have been lying to her for a long time. Just friends? Ha.

"Well, something happened because they're not talking now. That can only mean one time," Chuny said as she watched Susan disappear.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey, I've been looking for you," Susan said when she found he against the wall.

"Here I am," he said, not looking up.

"We need to talk," she said.

"Apparently. So, I take it that you are pregnant."

"Yeah. I'm positive you're not the father so don't go doing anything crazy." She sat down next to him.

"Like what?" he asked.

"Propose." He was silent for a few minutes before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box.

"I want your opinion," he said handing it to her.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's Note: Please continue to R&R. Thanks so much for all the feedback. Story's almost over. Please continue reading to the end.