Thank you for the feedback!!! : )

CARBYfan: Yes, Susan and Carter are still together … but not for long … it's like you could read my mind! : ) You'll see! ; )

Here is chapter 4. I hope you'll like it! Let me know what you think! : ) Want more? : )

Part (4/10)

"Hey Susan, it's me, John. I'm calling from your apartment."

"Hi John. That's good, did she tell you everything?"

"Yes, she did. Thank you for taking care of her and telling me to talk to her."

"I knew she needed you."

"Yeah, and I'll take her with me to my apartment.", he said, expecting Susan to become a little angry.

"I guess I was a bad host!", she said , joking a little.

"No! It's just that she doesn't know you very well. She will talk to you later. And don't worry, it's only about friendship! Thank you for your understanding!"

"Sure.", she answered. And she was sure he even believed what he said. But she knew better, even if it hurt.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow at work?"

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

Carter hung up the phone. He was surprised. The whole situation didn't seem to bother her very much.

It was already dark outside when they reached Carter's apartment. He prepared the bed for her and the couch for himself to sleep on it.

2 a.m.

They could both not sleep. He could hear her sobbing silently in the bedroom. He couldn't stand that she was there crying, only a few meters away from him. He wanted to be there for her and decided to go over to her. He wanted to take away all her pain and make her feel better. But he knew that wasn't possible. The only thing he could do was being there for her and trying to comfort her.

"Abby? Are you okay?", he asked, but she didn't answer. She lay on the bed, her face buried in the pillow. He sat down next to her.

"I heard you crying.", he said and put his hand on her shoulder. She was shivering.

"He won't come here, won't he?", she whispered.

He could hear that she was scared, lay down next to her under the blanket and put his arms around her. "No, you are safe here."

He felt her relaxing in his arms and falling asleep after a few minutes. He loved to just hold her and kept watching her for a while before he fell asleep himself.

Next morning, 11 a.m., Carter's apartment

When Abby woke up the first thing she realised was the pain in her face. Her nose and her eye were better this morning, the swelling was almost gone, but it still hurt. She sat up. At first she didn't know where she was but then she remembered the last day. She felt a lot better now that she talked to Carter and he knew everything. Now she knew that she was not alone with her problems and could rely on him.

When she heard the kettle hissing she decided to get up and follow the noise.

Carter was standing in the kitchen. He had already set the table and was about to make some tea when he heard footsteps coming up behind him. He turned around and saw Abby.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning John. Yes, thank you."

"Your eye is much better today!", he said and examined it carefully.

"Yes."

"Breakfast is ready, we can eat."

"Don't you have to go to work today?", she asked surprised.

"I do, but not until 4 p.m. Do you work today?"

"Yes, I need the distraction. I'm on at 5 p.m."

"Good, enough time to go to a meeting. Are you ready for that? I'll come with you if you want.", he asked, hoping she would go.

"Yes, I hope I am. And thank you for coming with me and everything you did yesterday. I'm glad I have a friend like you.", she said shyly.

"Any time, Abby.", he said, with a slight smile on his face.

They had breakfast and left the apartment at 1 p.m. to go to a meeting.

1 hour later, AA meeting

When they entered the room, Abby became nervous. She had not been here for quite a long time. The bad memories of her past came to her mind again. But she knew she had to be strong and do that.

When Carter saw her tensing he took her hand in his. She relaxed a little. They sat down next to each other in the last row, Carter still holding Abby's hand.

A lot of people talked about their time being sober, their problems and their relapses. And then it was Abby's turn to stand up and say something.

At first she was stuttering and didn't know what to say. But then she looked at Carter and saw his warm and understanding eyes. She pretended that he was the only person in the room and that she talked to him only. She forgot everybody around and suddenly it was easy to find the right words and talk about the little boy and his mother, Paul Sobricki, Brian, everything. Tears were running down her face while she was speaking.

Abby's words touched Carter deeply, his eyes became teary while he was listening to her. He realised again what a great person she was, though she had a lot of problems. He admired her. He was with Susan, but again he felt more than friendship for Abby.

Suddenly Abby stopped talking. All the people in the room she pretended not to be there were back, staring at her. She couldn't stand the presence of all that people in the room and ran out.

Carter got up quickly and followed her.

"Abby, wait for me!", he yelled after her. But she kept on running. When they reached the hallway of the building he could grab her arm and stop her. She was still crying.

"Abby, what happened? You were great in there and suddenly you ran out of the room."

"I don't know", she sobbed, "I felt so ashamed, everybody in there must think I'm crazy!"

"Nobody does! And even if they did, who cares? I don't think you're crazy, you're an adorable person!", he said, hugging her.

She knew he was right. They all had their own problems in there. And the only opinion that counted for Abby was Carter's. So there was nothing to be ashamed of.

"Let's go to work now, okay?", he asked, after she calmed down.

"Okay."