Title: Here We Go Again.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything etc..

Author: Geana A.K.A. GeanaBeana

Rating: I think it is deserving of a PG-13 rating now

Spoilers: Nope.

Again thanks to anyone who reviews I really appreciate it :)

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Chapter 3

Carter followed Abby into the empty lounge at the end of her shift.

"So how is Eric doing?" Carter questioned.

Abby who was gathering things from her locker could only respond with a sigh. "That well, huh?" he commented.

"He just isn't the same anymore.. I know he's not telling me something." "I am sure everything will be ok" Carter stated as he wrapped his arms around her slender waist, looked deeply into her unforgettable eyes, and kissed her passionately on the lips.

"Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?" "Just a little something to cheer you up," he said.

"I think I need a little more cheering up!" she replied with a mischievous smile on her face. "That can definitely be arranged." He stated flirtatiously. With one swift movement she was in his arms again.

They were unexpectedly interrupted by the opening of the door. "Eww, gross. Get a room." were the only words out of Susan's mouth. "Well technically... we had our own room until someone barged in on us!" Carter said grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh yeah.. Sorry I forgot about that notice that stated the lounge was the new make-out room." she said with a quick laugh. "I'm off anyway, so you two kids have fun!" After grabbing some belongings out of her locker, Susan Lewis left the room just as quickly as she had entered.

Carter and Abby wasted no time in making good use of the empty room.

"As much as I enjoy making out with you in the lounge Dr. Carter... I do believe I have a date with another handsome young man!" she said with a wink.

"You do realize that dating your own brother isn't exactly acceptable behavior anymore.. right?"

Abby playfully punched him in the shoulder stating: "So don't tell anyone, and I am sure we'll be ok!"

"Call me tonight after your date, ok?" He said while walking her outside. "Maybe I could even come over and we can pick up where we left off here?!" he commented playfully.

"I will DEFINITELY call you after my date" she said with a growing smile on her face. With a quick peck on the lips she was finally on her way. "I love you" he called out to her. "I love you too" she yelled back while blowing him a kiss.

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When Abby entered her apartment she was still on cloud nine -- thinking about Carter. "He really knows how to put me in a good mood" she thought to herself.

She removed her coat and looked around the seemingly empty apartment. "Eric, I'm home." she finally called out. She walked into her bedroom, and then the bathroom that had been partially demolished just the night before. With no sign of Eric she walked to the phone trying to determine who she should call. As she reached for the phone she noticed the note:

"Abby-

I'll be back later. I had to get out of the apartment for a while.

Don't wait up. Rain check on tonight.

--Eric"

"Oh great" she thought to herself a little irritated. She picked up the phone and dialed Carter's number.

"Hey, I thought you were supposed to be on a date with another man?" Carter said jokingly. "Well, I was supposed to be but he stood me up." she replied.

"Well.. If you are willing to settle for your second choice I can be over there in thirty minutes" he said with a smile that could be heard even over the phone. "Of course... I'd love for you to come over.." she replied.

"But, seriously John, do you think I should be worried?"

"No he's a grown man, he probably just needed some time to himself" he said reassuringly. "Thanks John, see you in a bit......"

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Eric wandered the cold Chicago streets alone, still thinking about everything that had happened. His only relief was the thought of ending his life. In death he would no longer have to face the guilt caused by his actions. He had wanted to do it in New York long before he worked up the nerve to call his sister. "If I had just done it in New York, I wouldn't have dragged Abby into this mess" he thought aloud.

"Even if I were to leave now she would still find out." He sat down on a vacant bench and watched cars speed by him. "One step" he thought... "One step into that street and I would not have to think about this anymore." He slowly rose from the bench trying to gather the courage to take that one step. He sat down defeated knowing that he was too petrified to take that final step. "I fail at everything" he thought to himself. "You know you're a loser when you can't even kill yourself correctly."

His thoughts went back to the first night at Abby's apartment. "I had tried then" he thought. The only thing he had been able to find in that tiny bathroom that might have aided his life ending journey, was a small pink razor with a moisturizing strip. He had actually gotten the courage to press it to his wrist. After a couple attempts he realized it was pointless. In a rage of frustration he had pulled out the medicine cabinet with one abrupt movement emptying its contents onto the floor.

He continued to think about his imminent death as he sat on the bench alone. Suddenly, like a light bulb had turned on in his head; he came up with a solution. The sure-fire way to end his life, that only required a second of courage. "It's gotta be a lot less painful then stepping in front of a speeding car". He arose from the bench knowing what he had to do.

Within a few minutes of searching he had found a suitable store..

"Can I help you with anything?" the man behind the counter questioned as Eric walked in. Eric took a couple steps closer and stated simply: "Yeah, I wanna buy a gun...."

To be continued.....

Please R&R :)