DISCLAIMER: I do not own ER. I'm making no profit.

Chapter Two: Phone Calls and Favors

Abby rolled over to see the neon green numbers from her alarm clock reading three eleven in the morning. She looked at the man asleep on the other side of the bed and then without noise she got up and put on her robe.

After flicking on the small reading lamp in the living room she grabbed the phone and began to punch in a series of numbers. Three operators and eight minutes later she finally heard a ring. She didn't even try to figure out what time it was in Africa. All she knew was that it had to be less of an ungodly hour than it was here.

"Hello." A man with a strong accent stated.

"Hi, this Abby Lockhart. I need to speak with John Carter."

"Ah yes, Abby. Dr. John said you would call." The man warmly stated.

"Carter isn't there?" She disappointedly asked.

"No, he had to travel to the next village. He told me to tell you to please go to 428 West Adams Street. He said you would know what I am speaking of."

"Yes sir. I understand. Thank you very much, and tell Dr. John I said hello."

"Yes I will do that."

"Thank you again." She said as she hung up the phone and looked at the address she had written down.

428 W. Adams Street, The Bradford Law firm, she thought. They handled the legal aspect of Carter's work in Africa. It was done through his family's foundation until he and Kem helped to form an entirely new aid group. Her mind ran through the scenarios that would require her help. None were pleasant or positive. After fixing a cup of tea she sat back down on the couch and pulled a blanket over her. She couldn't help but recount how her life ended up this way. She felt as though she had gone through all the trials and hard times one person should be allotted. To her surprise she came out of it with bonds that ran so deep she couldn't fully understand it. There was something about being Susan's maid of honor, and being there in the court room when she won custody of Susie. Or being there with Elizabeth at Ella's birthday parties. These were things she had never thought she would find, things she thought would never find her.

John Carter was in a separate category all together. It took quite a bit to regain their friendship, but somehow they did. She thought back at how he was there when her brother committed suicide. He was waiting by her door when she walked up with a bottle of whisky and a six pack. She thought back at his low moments when drug abuse looked like an answer to pain. A totally separate category indeed. She shut her eyes and pushed these heavy thoughts aside.

……….

He emerged from the bedroom to find her still asleep on the couch. He couldn't help but think how peaceful she looked, like her past didn't exist. But he knew it did. Looking at her the memory of that night came flooding back. They had been dating for almost seven months. He felt a real connection, they had shared so much. That night they were sharing a dinner she had made at her apartment. The phone rang, she didn't want to pick it up. He had said he gave her number to his partner. He thought it might be important. He can remember saying it's someone named John. He had thought Carter was a first name.

"Carter, what's wrong?" She leaned against the couch. He realizes John is Carter. "What? Where are you at?" She placed her hand on her forehead. "Don't. Stay there." She said strongly. "Carter….John…I 'm leaving right now."

He still sees the look in her eyes. He wonders if he'll ever see in reference to him. She moved into the bedroom and quickly emerged from it with a small bag. It was all he could do to get a simple question in, what's going on? She answered in one sentence. Carter is in New York, his daughter is in the hospital, his wife is in Africa. He remembers the absurdity of her going. What obligation did she have. As she left the apartment he could here her saying she would explain when she got back.

God she was beautiful. In some ways he knew he would never understand her, or her world. When she had gotten hurt last spring, Susan didn't leave the ER for six hours after her shift. These ties were unknown to him, and the fact that they propelled Abby in a fundamental fashion, in some ways, made her unknown.

"Abby." He gently said as he nudged her.

"Mmmupoknow." She mumbled as she drifted back to consciousness.

"Time to wake up." He added.

With that she opened her eyes and formed a comprehendible word. "Hey."

"Hey." He replied.

"I guess I fell asleep out here."

"You better get going it is already seven fifteen."

"Yeah, I have a lot to do before my shift at ten."

"So you called then." He inquired.

"Yeah." She briefly answered, watching her statements as to avoid bringing up the fight they had put on the back burner.

"And? Or can you not tell me?"

"I've got to run over to the Bradford Firm."

"Oh."

"It's all I know right now." She stated as she headed into the bathroom.

……….

"How may I help you ma'am?" The polite woman with the Banana republic shirt and the well manicured nails asked.

"I'm Dr. Lockhart, Dr. Carter asked me to stop by for him."

"Yes, Mr. Jenkins has been expecting you. You can take a seat over there. He'll be with you in a moment."

"Thank you." Abby stated as she moved to the chairs that were placed against the wall.

The lobby was nice, but impersonal. There were pictures hung on the walls, and books as well as magazines to read. Abby felt sorry for the people who were in here enough to pick up where they left off in the novel from a law office.

"Dr. Lockhart." A strong voice said as a tall man in a nice suit came out of a side door.

"Mr. Jenkins, hello. Call me Abby."

"It's good to meet you Abby." He stated as he extended his hand.

"I'm hoping you can tell me what this is about." She said with a smile.

"Lets go into my office."

His office was more modest than she expected. A bookshelf filled with what appeared to be law books. A leather couch, his desk, and three dark wood chairs. "Have a seat."

"Thanks."

"I suppose you want to get strait to it then."

"I would appreciate it." She said with a smile.

"Jonah." He simply said.

"Jonah?" She asked, unsure that she heard him right.

"He's a six year old little boy, who is going to die."

"Ok." She replied, still unsure of the situation.

"He is currently at the clinic where John is. He has a, umm, I forget the name, a whole in his heart."

"Ok."

"John has arranged for Jonah and his mother Keela to come to America on a temporary visa so Jonah can get medical attention."

"I still don't understand how this involves me."

"They can't travel alone. They need a doctor with them, in case of…and they can't spare any doctors who over there right now."

"Oh." Abby stated, understanding now why the call was so urgent. "So?"

"We can have you on a plane tonight. You'd be there in two days."

"Uh, What about…I mean…I need to…I need to call work, I need to…"

"Take care of it, clear it all, and then call me."

"I'll call you in an hour or two." Abby said as she stood up.

"You know how John gets when he decides to become invested."

"First hand." Abby replied with a smile.

"I will talk to you later than." Mr. Jenkins said as he opened the door for Abby.

"by the way, it was nice to meet you Mr. Jenkins." Abby politely replied as she turned to face him.

"Sam."

"Sam it is."