*Present:
Abby sits in a crowded waiting room with Cara on her lap. She had gotten to the airport too early; she had too much time to think.
She wanted to actually get there this year. Every year she told herself that she would. Every year she didn't.
Four failed attempts to go back.
The first year she reserved tickets.
The second she got to the airport.
The third she even checked in.
The fourth she made it to Chicago. Well only to the airport.
This time she was going to go back. She wanted to believe that she could do it. She needed to do it.
She owed it to him.
*Flashback:
"Susan," I say breaking the long moment of silence that we shared.
"What?" she answers trying to sound confused.
I see through her attempt, but don't want to press her further. So I drop it.
I don't understand what she believes is her fault, but I can't focus on that at the moment.
No a million different outcomes run through my head, none of them good.
Is this what it feels like to be Abby? Damn I wish that thought didn't rush through my head. I am close enough to breaking down without trying to get inside her head. Not now, not at this moment.
*Present:
Susan walks into the exam room in a hurry to find Carter.
As she spots him she calls his name. Carter turns around from what he was doing and seeing Susan's anxious appearance, he excuses himself and follows her into the hallway.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"I was wondering if you could, maybe, cover the rest of my shift?"
Carter looks at her in disbelief and says, "Susan I have been here all morning, now you want me to be here all night?"
"I'm sorry, but Lacie's sick and I really need to go home," Susan answers.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Carter replies, "of course I can cover for you, it's not like I have anything better to do anyway."
Susan looks at him sadly for a moment before she says, "thanks Carter," and walks away.
Well I guess I was right, he thinks, I'm not getting home today. Then again, could he really consider where he lived to be 'home'? No he didn't think so.
*Flashback:
"It's my fault," I repeat again.
"Dr. Kovac the events that occurred can in no way be blamed on you," the officer assured me.
Yes, the police wouldn't blame the events on me. The media would probably not blame me. Heck, most people probably wouldn't blame me.
That didn't matter. Chen was dead because of me, and if something happens to Abby I will never forgive myself. I love her. I know she doesn't love me, but I will always love her.
So you see it was little solace to know what Officer Michael's thought.
*Present:
He's done for the day, but something forces him to stay.
He knows that Christina will be worried if he doesn't come home on time.
He gets his things ready to leave, allowing enough time and room for him to help with another patient, another procedure. Anything.
It doesn't happen. There must be a force of nature that prevents it from happening when you want it. The force must be universal.
Sighing he walks towards the door and begins his short journey home.
*Flashback:
Before I realize what is happening he has me pinned against the wall again. I look away, but not for long as he forces my eyes back to his face.
"Tell me Abby, do you have any kids?" he asks.
"No," I whisper, forcing myself not to think back to a time when I could have.
"No ring either," he comments. I am left not knowing how to respond, or even if I should respond.
"My wife died 2 years ago," he continued, "my boy was all I had left, and He killed him."
I close my eyes, knowing that I have no control over what happens next. I've had my eyes closed for only a matter of seconds when he slams my head into the wall and shouts, "I'm talking to ya girly!"
My eyes reopen quickly, with even more added fear. I don't say anything, but he continues, "You tried to save him," he mutters in disgust.
"He kills my boy. You don't save my son, but you want to save him?!"
"It's my job," I whisper, feeling the need to defend myself.
This seems to satisfy him for a moment, and I think that perhaps I will be okay, when he suddenly forces me down to the floor.
*Present:
"Flight 120 direct from Orlando to Chicago now boarding at gate 7," calls the announcement over the loudspeaker.
Abby gathers her bags and takes Cara's hand as they walk to gate number 7.
~~
A/N: sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter up. Hope you like it, and please tell me what you think. Thanx ~Hailie
I want to say Thank You to everyone who has reviewed my story! And a special thank you to mealz, Carbyfan, and carbyluva 313 for your continuous encouragement. It's kept me writing this story, so keep it coming (
And of course I can't forget Tizzy, I love you girl you are the best cousin ever. (But no, the Callie Elizabeth in this story will not share your nickname, sorry)
Abby sits in a crowded waiting room with Cara on her lap. She had gotten to the airport too early; she had too much time to think.
She wanted to actually get there this year. Every year she told herself that she would. Every year she didn't.
Four failed attempts to go back.
The first year she reserved tickets.
The second she got to the airport.
The third she even checked in.
The fourth she made it to Chicago. Well only to the airport.
This time she was going to go back. She wanted to believe that she could do it. She needed to do it.
She owed it to him.
*Flashback:
"Susan," I say breaking the long moment of silence that we shared.
"What?" she answers trying to sound confused.
I see through her attempt, but don't want to press her further. So I drop it.
I don't understand what she believes is her fault, but I can't focus on that at the moment.
No a million different outcomes run through my head, none of them good.
Is this what it feels like to be Abby? Damn I wish that thought didn't rush through my head. I am close enough to breaking down without trying to get inside her head. Not now, not at this moment.
*Present:
Susan walks into the exam room in a hurry to find Carter.
As she spots him she calls his name. Carter turns around from what he was doing and seeing Susan's anxious appearance, he excuses himself and follows her into the hallway.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"I was wondering if you could, maybe, cover the rest of my shift?"
Carter looks at her in disbelief and says, "Susan I have been here all morning, now you want me to be here all night?"
"I'm sorry, but Lacie's sick and I really need to go home," Susan answers.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Carter replies, "of course I can cover for you, it's not like I have anything better to do anyway."
Susan looks at him sadly for a moment before she says, "thanks Carter," and walks away.
Well I guess I was right, he thinks, I'm not getting home today. Then again, could he really consider where he lived to be 'home'? No he didn't think so.
*Flashback:
"It's my fault," I repeat again.
"Dr. Kovac the events that occurred can in no way be blamed on you," the officer assured me.
Yes, the police wouldn't blame the events on me. The media would probably not blame me. Heck, most people probably wouldn't blame me.
That didn't matter. Chen was dead because of me, and if something happens to Abby I will never forgive myself. I love her. I know she doesn't love me, but I will always love her.
So you see it was little solace to know what Officer Michael's thought.
*Present:
He's done for the day, but something forces him to stay.
He knows that Christina will be worried if he doesn't come home on time.
He gets his things ready to leave, allowing enough time and room for him to help with another patient, another procedure. Anything.
It doesn't happen. There must be a force of nature that prevents it from happening when you want it. The force must be universal.
Sighing he walks towards the door and begins his short journey home.
*Flashback:
Before I realize what is happening he has me pinned against the wall again. I look away, but not for long as he forces my eyes back to his face.
"Tell me Abby, do you have any kids?" he asks.
"No," I whisper, forcing myself not to think back to a time when I could have.
"No ring either," he comments. I am left not knowing how to respond, or even if I should respond.
"My wife died 2 years ago," he continued, "my boy was all I had left, and He killed him."
I close my eyes, knowing that I have no control over what happens next. I've had my eyes closed for only a matter of seconds when he slams my head into the wall and shouts, "I'm talking to ya girly!"
My eyes reopen quickly, with even more added fear. I don't say anything, but he continues, "You tried to save him," he mutters in disgust.
"He kills my boy. You don't save my son, but you want to save him?!"
"It's my job," I whisper, feeling the need to defend myself.
This seems to satisfy him for a moment, and I think that perhaps I will be okay, when he suddenly forces me down to the floor.
*Present:
"Flight 120 direct from Orlando to Chicago now boarding at gate 7," calls the announcement over the loudspeaker.
Abby gathers her bags and takes Cara's hand as they walk to gate number 7.
~~
A/N: sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter up. Hope you like it, and please tell me what you think. Thanx ~Hailie
I want to say Thank You to everyone who has reviewed my story! And a special thank you to mealz, Carbyfan, and carbyluva 313 for your continuous encouragement. It's kept me writing this story, so keep it coming (
And of course I can't forget Tizzy, I love you girl you are the best cousin ever. (But no, the Callie Elizabeth in this story will not share your nickname, sorry)