A few hours had passed and the commotion of the morning had finally died down. The patients that had witnessed the ordeal had either left straight after, or had been taken in an ambulance to Mercy whilst police matters at County were taken care of. The critical patients had stayed put and continued to be treated. The staff were now back into their normal routines, treating patients and doing charts. However, two employees were not carrying out their customary tasks, they were on the other side', as some might say, and not for the first time.

Carter had not left Abby's side since he had gathered her into his arms just a few hours ago. He had escorted her to the lounge, sat her down and let her cry into him, as he cried into her. He had held her so close to him that he could feel every shaky breath she took, and rubbed her back tenderly until her body had stopped trembling. He had asked her if she wanted to tell him what had happened but she clearly was not ready. He understood, he always understood. Numerous members of staff had approached them, asking the obvious questions: if there was anything they needed, or how they were feeling. Carter had felt like shouting how the hell do you think?!, but had retrained himself, for Abby's sake. After an hour or so, they had stopped coming in, hopefully taking the hint that the two
needed some alone time. They were both now still securely situated in the lounge, not wanting to move, but not wanting to stay in the hospital for another second. Abby sat with her feet curled beneath her, pressed to Carter's side with her arms wrapped around his middle and her face buried into his chest. This was a rare moment, when Abby actually admitted she needed protecting. Her body language now was screaming to Carter that he was her lifeline, and that she could not survive a second without him by her side. This made Carter feel joyful and dismal all at the same time. He loved the feeling of being needed, it hardly ever happened when he was with Abby, but he hated seeing her this way-so vulnerable and so out of character. He wanted his tough exterior girlfriend back, the one he fell in love with, the one he couldn't live without.

His chin flew up from the top of her head when the door creaked open. His eyes locked with Susan's silently, as Abby's head never left his chest. Susan began to whisper.

Sorry for interrupting.

Carter smiled tightly. It's ok. He looked down at Abby's resting form, and stroked her hair lovingly.

Susan stood silent for a few moments, watching the interaction between the two of them. It was an emotional sight, even for the onlooker. I hate to say this but you both need to be examined.

Carter's head shot back up.

Carter I know you're going to say it's not necessary but believe me it is. Abby's covered in wounds, some visible to us, some that may not be. We need to asses the extent of her injuries.

OK I agree with you on that one, but why me?

Well, in case you hadn't noticed, your nose was pouring with blood and appears to me to be broken.

Carter's hand reached up to his nose and he grimaced as his it came into contact with the fractured bone. He had forgotten all about his physical pain through the sheer volume of emotional pain he was feeling.

Can you give us a minute? We'll be out soon.

Susan smiled gently. Sure. I'll be waiting in exam two.

Susan closed the door quietly behind her. Carter looked back down at Abby worriedly, who had not moved all the time Susan had been present in the room. He stroked her hair once more, before speaking softly to her.

Abby? Abby, we need to move in a minute.

She stirred softly, and lifted her head up to meet his eyes, still clinging tightly to his body. His heart almost broke as he saw the redness of her eyes and the pleading look she was giving him, to put things right, to take care of her, to rescue her.

He leant forward and kissed her lightly on the forehead. Susan wants to examine us. I promise it won't take long, then we can go home.

Will you stay with me? She spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

His brown orbs melted into hers. Of course I will. He paused before removing her arms from around his back, and entwining his fingers with hers. He stood up and pulled her up off the couch, and then walking out the door into the ER with her hand clutched tightly in his. They received a number of sympathetic glances along the way, before reaching the exam room. Susan and Kerry awaited them in the empty room. Carter looked around, almost disbelieving that no one else was being treated there, then met eyes with Susan, before thanking her silently for the privacy she had obviously arranged. No words of sympathy were expressed by either doctor. Kerry simply smiled warmly at Abby, asking her gently to lie down on the gurney situated in the right hand corner of the room. The second of the two beds sat on the other side of the room, and Carter made his way over to it before being called back by Abby.

John, stay with me.

He did not even begin to hesitate as he quickly walked back over to her side. He perched on the edge of the gurney, by where her head lay, and stared into her eyes whilst taking a hold of her hand. Susan placed her hands on either side of his face, breaking his glance with Abby, as she turned his head to face her to begin examining his nose. Although he could not see her anymore, he still held onto her hand, squeezing it every so often to ensure her that he was there for her. Kerry moved over to the right hand side of the bed, moving the tools table over to Abby's side to begin cleaning her wounds. As she dabbed gently at the cuts on Abby's face she spoke to her softly.

Abby, do you know if you've been hurt anywhere else?

She looked around helplessly, not know what to say or do. She felt Carter's hand squeeze hers again, assuring her everything was all right.

What-what do you mean?

Can you remember if the man harmed you anywhere else?

I...I can't remember.

It's OK Abby. I'll have to do a full examination on you. Do you want us to go to a private area?

She looked over towards Carter, who had his back to her. She then looked back at Weaver. No. I want Carter here.

OK that's fine. She paused for a moment, looking at the ground briefly and then catching Susan's eye. Susan seemed to grimace slightly, as she closed her eyes for a moment before re opening them and focusing her attentions back on Carter. Kerry sat down on a chair besides the bed and focused on Abby. You are aware I'm going to have to do a rape exam on you?

The world seem to stand still for all people in the room. Carter's eyes bulged before his head shot round and he started at Kerry, as if the words that had just left her mouth were the most ridiculous he had ever heard?

What the hell Kerry? He asked before staring at Abby who looked at him with fear in her eyes. He shook his head at her, assuring her that there was nothing to worry about.

John, you know it's compulsory.

Only if she was unconscious!

Kerry stared at him silently. He then turned to Abby for an answer but she looked away from him.

You were unconscious?! Abby, you never told me that.

A lone tear ran down her cheek before several more followed. I don't know. I...I can't remember everything.

His brow furrowed, as his heart broke all over again. He leant in close to her, still holding the same hand and with his other, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. He leant in and softly kissed her mouth. It's ok, I won't let anything happen to you.

Carter turned back around and looked Susan in the eye. Without hearing the words, she could read his expression clearly, and the cry for help he was sending her way.

Uh, Kerry, I think I am going to have to take Carter up to X-Ray.

Carter began to stand as Abby grabbed his arm. No. You can't!

Her eyes pleaded with him. Abby, I have to. I'll be back down as soon as it's done. Doctor Weaver will be with you. Nothing's going to happen.

I'm scared Carter. She whimpered.

Tears began to fall from his eyes. He inwardly curled his lips and pressed his mouth down on them to keep himself from breaking down in front of her. You're going to be OK. He bent down and kissed her forehead. He went to stand back up but she held onto him.

You promise?

He swallowed the huge lump forming in this throat. I promise.

He stood back up slowly, and walked towards the door where Susan stood, all the time keeping his eye contact with Abby. He smiled a weak smile before disappearing out of the door and leaving Kerry and Abby alone.

He stood with Susan outside the room, pressing his back against the wall and leaning his head back, sighing heavily. She stood in front of him, arms crossed, eyeing him with a concerned look. They stood there for several minutes before he spoke up.

Thanks for that in there.

She smiled tightly. It's ok.

I don't really need an X-Ray do I?

She laughed. No. Unless you're more of a whimp than I thought!

The corner of his mouth upturned. Hey, no need for that. Another pause. I just-I don't think I can take it. Being in there, watching her being examined in that way, for...for that reason. Knowing that maybe...maybe there's a chance that... His voice broke and he began to cry. Susan stepped forward and hugged her friend. She could not bear to see him like this. It was like one turmoil after another for him and Abby. They didn't deserve it, no one did.

- - -

Abby stepped out from behind the curtain in a gown Kerry had given her to change into. She was having deja vous from the last time she had to go through this ordeal, she just hoped it would end the same way.

OK Abby, if you just lie down on the bed for me.

Yeah, I know the drill.

All Kerry could do was smile apologetically. She pulled up a chair besides Abby's bed. She knew how scared, awkward and embarrassed Abby must have been feeling at that moment. She hated to be the one having to do this. She sighed before asking the questions she knew had to be asked.

Have you had intercourse in the last seventy two hours, Abby?

Abby grimaced, squeezing her eyes shut tight for a moment, wishing she wasn't there, wasn't having her boss prying into her personal life by asking questions she knew were necessary.

She swallowed.

With the same partner?

Abby gave Kerry a hard stare. She replied sternly.

Abby, I have to ask.

I know, I'm sorry.

And when was the last time?

She paused for a moment, calculating in her head. About fourteen hours ago.

OK. No more questions. I just need to examine you now. It won't take a minute, then everything will be over.

She closed her eyes and rested her head back against the pillow. She wanted everything to be over. She just wanted her life back.

- - -

OK I hope you guys liked that! I know, I said it was going to be fluffy and it turned out angsty again! I am just addicted to the angst! OK I need your help here. I don't wanna exactly give away the plot but I need some feedback on where you want the story to go. I'll put it this way: Do you want me to continue with the angst or go back to fluff?? I don't wanna go the wrong way and turn people away from my story you see. Either e-mail me with your views at summer_girl@anfmail.com or review review review! I didn't receive as many reviews from the last chapter as I would have hoped so please please please keep them coming! Special shout outs to drlewis, carby luva 313 and rainbow 345 uk for reviewing last chapter, especially drlewis and carby luva for being such dedicated reviewers! U guys rock I appreciate the feedback so so much! Makes this all worth it. Lol, I sound like a bubbling oscar winner!
***Laura***