OPINON- Hey first things first I don't remember if I have mentioned this before, but I just wanted to address this VERY serious topic, one that I don't think I can continue to let go... its serious, yes I am talking about the beard. The hideous beard, that Noah Wyle has decided to grow, I don't know if he was drunk when he came to this decision but... its definetly not good, and I just wanted to say that we are not fans of the beard, I have often wondered if it may have been inhabited by some sort of facial bugs, like face lice. The only time i have pitied Kem was when she had to kiss the horrid thing, it should be illegal to have something that awful on your face. Noah is such a good looking guy and he just wrecked it. Well what can I say maybe Abby is lucky to not have to be around that thing.

Authors Note- Hey everyone sorry for the lack of updates over the last couple of days, just getting back to regular 'non christmas' life lol... here's a short chapter, but it really defines carters thoughts over the next little while. Please review:D

I don't know what's wrong with Abby lately. She's been acting so out of it since the day after Christmas. It's been a few days, and I don't know. I guess she might still blame me for what happened. And maybe I should have thought about it, but we were both there. I climb into bed, and lie down. It's late. I'm tired. Bryce was still watching a movie so I let him finish it and Abby's supposed to be home any minute. I guess things got better and got worse at the same time. She's begun to shut herself off from me. But she'll let me in when she feels like it. So maybe it's progress. I hear the door shut and Abby yell at Bryce to go to bed. His footsteps echo through the hallway reluctantly.

"Why the hell isn't he in bed yet?"

She's been snapping at me a lot recently. I've gotten a bit used to it.

"He doesn't have school tomorrow, he wanted to see the end."

I reply calmly, and it always seems to work. She climbs into bed and lies down next to me. She's stiff, and I try to put my arm around her. She immediately jerks away. I don't want to fight neither do I want to anger her. I just move back to my side of the bed and wait for her to do or say something. After a while, sure enough, she turns around and her hands come around me. I kiss her on the cheek and pull the rubber band out of her hair.

"I'm sorry."

I pull her closer towards me.

"Never say you're sorry."

She gives me a small smile.

"Long day?"

She nods her head, tracing circles along my chest.

"Are you okay?"

She nods her head again. I'm unconvinced. And she knows that.

"Really. I'm fine."

I stare out at the wall in front of us.

"You know you can talk to me."

I feel her turn around and curl up away from me.

"I know. But right now all I want to do is sleep."

I throw the comforter off me and start towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

I kneel down and take a pillow and a blanket from the chair in the room.

"I'm gonna sleep on the couch."

She looks up at me, suddenly interested.

"You need your space, and I understand that."

She starts to bite on her bottom lip.

"Carter..."

I shake my head. I'm beginning to have enough.

"Find me when you want to talk."

I close the door behind me and set up my makeshift bed on the couch. I hear footsteps on the carpet and look up. She sits down on the edge of the couch.

"Please come back to bed."

I lay back against the pillows.

"I am in bed."

She's looking at the Christmas tree, twirling the ring around her finger.

"Please."

I shake my head no.

"I know when I'm not wanted. You need your space. You have it."

She gives me a dejected look and walks away. I shouldn't have done that. But there's a point where I can't control what happens between us. I love her. Yet she needs to let me in. She still hasn't. I never know what to expect from her. I mentally battle with myself whether to go back in or not. But I decide against it. It's better to let her figure herself out first. Of course that means I'm not going to get much sleep. And I have to work tomorrow, then we are going to Susan's for the New Year's Eve Party. I'm actually considering not going to that. After a full 12 hours, all I'm going to want is a shower and a warm bed. I might just go home completely, to the mansion. I haven't been there in a while, and I need to check up on the foundation and everything else. I watch the shadows on the ceiling change as every car passes. After a while I finally fall asleep. Not that it's considered restful sleep. Since I kept on waking up in odd hours of the night thinking about her.

***REVIEW RESPONSES***

kiehl- hehe Ernie hehe, like Bert and Ernie hehe.. Bryce is playing good.... Carter and Abby on the other hand haha!

Amanda- Hmmm what did Bryce get Dylan? its in chapter 43... i accidently wrote it in without thinking, yup way to make things flow I know... its a necklace since the secret is out... A condom, well that would just be whoa... hehe ten year olds should not have condoms, unless of course they are using them as water ballons.

carbylobsterandavrilfan- I'm glad you like this fic, I'm going to try to post more frequently:)... yeah Abby and Carter should know better... wrap it or go home and whack it.... haha (sorry)

CARBYforever- I'm glad you like our story:) thanks for reviewing.

JanBry- Drop as many lines as you want... its awesome hearing from people. Yeah more updates :D... i love updating more, only one today though because I'm a little behind schedule:(... Happy new year to you too!

MrsWyle- yup a moody abby:( they work through it... sort of.

vicki- Yeah Ernie lol kinda funny name... Maybe ernie will grow up to be a childrens show actor though lol!

AbbyLockhart2 - What are you tlaking about the chapters are that intresting lol!!! I think we did hit 87 today, I mean how many have we written... I think I wrote at least 2, and you are writing one right now, hmmm. We will hit 90 and not even know it hehe, we are obessesed with story haha. Bryce watched a lot of Seasame street haha, I duno how Ernie came about hehe, maybe the baby will be an illiterate drugging......... no it can't be its a carby baby... it can only be prefect!!!

hyperpiper91- Bert is still in the bathtub hehehe, sorry . Yeah I know sometimes I over use some words, I don't know how to say I am upset with you I only know how to say "fuck you" its not cool! Glad you like the story:D we like taht you read it:)

***PREVIEW***

"Hey." I look up at a tall man, who I know has been eyeing me this whole time. I've watched him. "Hi." I say completely uninterested.

"You look nice." He says, checking me out.

"Thanks." I look at the door and ignore him.

"You waiting for someone?"

"Yeah." I glance up at him again. He's cute