Hey, thanks a lot for the feedback! It really means a lot to me!!! : ) Keep it coming! ; )

Oh, and trust me, it is Carby … all my stories are Carby! ; )

Not too much Susan and Abby friendship in this one I fear, though I love their friendship, too! : ) I am about to write another fic with more of that. : )

Anyway, here is chapter 2. Please tell me again what you think about it and if you want to read more! : )

Part (2/10)

She switched on the light. Abby was sitting on the bed, sweaty. She had a nightmare, that was obvious. Susan sat down on the bed, next to her, and put her hand on her shoulder to comfort her. Abby had a scared look on her face, but she seemed to calm down already.

"Bad dream?"

"Yeah, I think so."

Susan stayed with her for a while. But the silence became awkward for both of them.

"Do you want me to leave you alone?", Susan asked. She knew it was embarrassing for Abby that she saw her like that.

Abby hesitated, but finally she said "I'm fine, it was just a dream.". She could not talk about it.

"Okay.", Susan said, switched off the light and left the room. She lay down on the sofa again. She had to sleep now, she had to be at work early, though she was still worried about Abby.

Abby lay down on the bed again. She spent the rest of the night awake, thinking about Brian.

Next morning

Susan left her apartment at 6 a.m., Abby seemed to be asleep. She didn't want to disturb her and left her a note.

Later, ER

Susan working on a few charts when Carter appeared.

"Hey Susan, how are you, lots of work? You look tired.", Carter said with a smile and kissed her.

"Thank you Carter! Yes, I did not have much sleep tonight.", she answered, a little annoyed by his good mood since she was stressed and tired, but still friendly.

"Oh.", was all he said. He knew that he should better not tease her when she was tired.

"Have you seen Abby? She should be here already but I did not see her yet. I need her help with a patient."

"You don't know it?", Susan asked surprised. She knew it was hard to keep a secret in the ER.

"Know what?", he asked curiously.

"So you don't. Um, she's not here, she's sick, won't come to work today."

"Sick? What is it, the flu?"

Susan was thinking about telling him everything. But she wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do.

"I don't know, you better ask her yourself.", she finally answered.

"I will do that tomorrow when she's back."

"No, you should call her."

Carter was confused. "Okay, I will call her later."

"But not at home, she won't be there."

"Where is she?"

"She's at my apartment."

"Why is she at your apartment when she is sick?" Carter was even more confused now. "Tell me what is going on!" Now he was a little worried.

"Please, ask her. You know where I live.", Susan answered, lay down the chart and went off to a patient. She hoped Carter would do what she told him, maybe Abby could talk to him. Though she was in a relationship with Carter, she felt the bond between Abby and him and that she needed him now.

Carter didn't know what was going on. 'Abby was sick and at Susan's apartment?!' He was off in 30 minutes and decided to visit her after his shift.

Meanwhile at Susan's apartment

Abby was still in bed. Though she was very tired, she couldn't sleep. She was exhausted. As soon as she closed her eyes all she could see was Brian. She was awake, too when Susan left at 6, but she pretended to be asleep when she  peeked into the bedroom. She didn't want her to start a conversation. Though just lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what happened wasn't good either.

She decided to get up and do something to stop thinking about yesterday.

When she stepped into the living room she read the note on the table:

Abby,

I had to go to work early. Feel like home and do whatever you want. I'll be  back at 3 p.m., stay if you like. Otherwise we'll meet at work tomorrow. You can call me every time.

I will tell Weaver that you won't come to work today.

Susan

She was glad that Susan took care of Weaver. She really didn't want to meet all the other nurses and the doctors, explain them what happened.

She took another shower, got dressed and sat down on the sofa. She had to put her thoughts together. Where could she stay in the future? Was Brian arrested, was he still at his apartment?

She startled when the doorbell rang.