Chapter 10

Luka slammed the items into the suitcase one by one. It was packed to capacity; it wasn't going to close. He smashed down the lid of the suitcase, but to no avail.

Luka sat down on the bed in frustration. There was no point to this; it wasn't like he could leave. That would make him look like even more of a criminal. Everyone already thought he was guilty; fleeing the scene of the crime wouldn't make things any better.

He just wanted to be out of this whole situation. It seemed like everyone he thought he could count on had turned on him, sided with Abby and against him. Why couldn't they understand that they could be on both of their sides?

Abby had gotten her memory back. She was probably the only person in Chicago, besides him, who knew that he wasn't guilty. But she was in a coma, again, and it was because of his carelessness.

Why hadn't he walked behind her? He had been so eager, ready for everyone to see his innocence, that he had almost forgotten about Abby. At least, until she fell.

What if she didn't make it? What would he do? What would be done to him? He didn't think he would be able to live with the guilt if he had caused Abby's death.

Luka heard a knock at the door. He turned, wary of whatever was waiting for him on the other side.

It was the police.

His head hung. What else could they be here for? He opened the door, surrendering himself to his fate.

_____________________________________________________

They had come to question him. Again. The same questions, the same answers. It was as if they thought asking him enough would make his answers change.

Finally, after three hours, they had released him, but warned him not to leave the area. The first thing he did when he got home was call the hospital and ask about Abby.

There was no change.

Luka closed his eyes, tried to block out the feelings of despair. The walls were closing in on him. His whole life was falling apart.

Hand shaking, he hung up the phone. Then, after a moment's thought, he grabbed the coat he had just taken off. He was going to the hospital. He was going to say goodbye.

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For the first time in days, Abby was alone.

He slipped into her room. She was breathing deeply, steadily. He took her hands in his.

"Abby," he said. His voice was raw with sadness. He thought of how much he loved her. And how, because of him, she might be gone forever.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered hoarsely. "You know I would never hurt you. Everyone believes what they want to believe. They shut me out because I made myself a stranger, and then when I needed someone to be on my side, no one was there. I don't blame you for this, Abby. It's my fault."

He exhaled deeply. "When we first started dating, I thought things would be different with you. I thought you would finally be...someone to take Danjela's place." He looked down. "But no one ever can. My relationship with you was just like the relationships i had with so many other people: impersonal, superficial.

I wish I had gotten to know you better. I wish I had really cared about you." He let out a humorless laugh. "I talk like it's already over. But it is, for me at least. I know that, even if you wake up and tell everyone the truth, things will never be the same here.

"I love you, Abby. For a long time, you've been the only good thing in my life. I'm sorry you were hurt like this. I feel like this is all my fault."

"Maybe that's because it is."

Luka's turned to see Carter, eyes flashing with anger, standing in the doorway.

He held up his hands, almost in surrender. "I don't want any trouble. I just-"

"Then get out."

Carter's harsh words were like a slap in the face. But really, what basis did Carter had for believing in his innocence?

"I'm leaving. I just came to say goodbye."

He wondered if Carter would ask where he was going. He did not. "Just leave, before you hurt Abby again."

"I know you don't believe me, but I had nothing to do with thi-"

"Save it, okay? Just save it. There is nothing you can say right now that could convince me that you didn't hurt her."

"Abby will tell you. Someday soon, she'll wake up and tell you. Until then, there's nothing I can say."

Carter was infuriated by Luka's calm. After all, Luka was the one who had attacked Abby, and now he expected to just apologize and make everything better. "Leave, before I call security," Carter said through gritted teeth.

But Luka was already leaving.

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Abby was touched by Luka's words.

She wanted to reach out, touch him, hold him, assure him that everything would be alright. But she couldn't. She was stuck in her silent prison.

And then Carter came. She knew Carter was trying to protect her, and that he was only angry because he didn't know the truth. She wished she could tell him, so he would stop yelling at Luka. Though her eyes were closed, she could almost feel Luka shrinking away from Carter's harsh words.

And Luka left.

Carter sat by her bed and talked to her. For hours. She wondered: had he taken time off so he could sit by her bedside for hours at a time? Was he losing money for her right now?

When she finally saw his face, she thought it was just another dream.

"Abby!" he said, eyes flying open in shock. He slammed the nurse's call button. "You're awake!"

And Abby, mind suddenly cloudy, could only nod. It wasn't a dream. She was awake, for the first time in days.

"Just take it easy, Abby. Everything's going to be okay now," Carter said, pounding the call button again. And as Abby rested her head against the pillow, she hoped that he was right.

A/N: The famine is over! After weeks of agony, I have finally finished this fic! A HUGE thanks to Brynn for betaing, brainstorming, and helping me crank out these last two chaps. The final chapter should be up Monday. After that, it's on to greener pastures! ~Taz