DISCLAIMER: I do not own ER nor its characters. I am making no profit.
Chapter Five: Catching Up
"Jonah, I'd like you to meet Dr. Coleman. He is going to be your doctor now."
Jonah weakly smiled as he grabbed Abby's hand.
"Hi Jonah. I'm Doctor Coleman, but you can call me Dr. Charlie." He stated as he patted Jonah on the head. "You're going to start feeling sleepy now, it's ok. Just go to sleep."
"I'm going to be right here with you and your mom." Abby added.
Jonah slowly released his grip on Abby and his mother's hand as he drifted into unconsciousness. Dr. Coleman and his team had assembled, and Jonah was wheeled into surgery. This feeling reminded Abby of Carter's surgery. Emotional investment wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Periodically Jonah's mother would cry. Abby would again comfort her. These were some of the most talented surgeons in the country. They would fix Jonah. Four hours into the operation Abby found herself the sole conscious person. It would be at least two more hours. There hadn't been an update, but in situations like these no news was good news.
For the first time since returning home Abby found herself alone, or essentially alone. Her mind ran through her visit to Africa. This surgery for Jonah would indeed save his life, but there were so many. Would he return and bring hope to many? The hope of what? A trip to America? It's not feasible. Hope needed to return though, there was no doubt about that. One life isn't enough. There are so many, and all deserve exactly what Jonah was receiving, a chance at life.
"Hey there." A familiar voice stated, jarring Abby back.
"Susan." She replied in a quiet voice.
"I brought some coffee."
"Thanks." Abby replied as she took the cup out of Susan's hand.
"Pretty heavy thoughts, huh?"
"It's just…" How could she explain? "There is so much need."
"And this is just one child?" Susan asked.
"Exactly. This is great, and I'm so thankful to be a part of it. It's not enough."
"It only takes one you know." Susan added with a smile.
"You think Jonah can be that one?"
"I wasn't thinking about Jonah." Susan replied as she stood up. "I'm still on downstairs, I'm sure they're screaming for me."
Abby smiled, and Susan began to walk away. "Hey Susan."
"Yeah?"
"What time are you on till?"
"All night." Susan said with a sigh.
"I need to find you later."
"For what?"
"An AIDS test." Abby explained. Susan's face turned serious. "It was a minor abrasion, but by the end there was a lot of blood."
"Find me, okay?" Susan stated as she worked up a smile and continued to head down the hall. Once again she stopped and walked back to Abby. "A lot of blood?" She asked, just realizing something had happened on her trip to Africa.
"Yeah, we were at…We should have coffee tomorrow." Abby stated with a smile.
"Apparently so." Susan stated as she gave Abby a wink and headed towards the elevator.
………
"Dr. Lockhart." He tapped her shoulder. "Abby."
"Huh?" She answered as she awoke.
"The surgery went well."
"Jonah's in recovery?" She asked.
"Yes. Everything went just as planned." Dr. Coleman added.
"Thank you." Abby repeated in gratitude.
"Shouldn't we wake his mother?" Dr. Coleman added with a chuckle.
"I guess we should, thanks again Charlie."
"What are surgeons for?"
……….
Abby made her way to the ER. To her surprise it was practically dead. "This is not fair." She whined as she headed into the lounge to find Pratt, Susan, and Neela.
"We thought you were ignoring us." Pratt said as he put his magazine down.
"I stayed away as long as I could." She sarcastically remarked back.
"How was Africa?" Neela asked.
"It was…eye opening." She simply stated.
"I'm sure Abby will give us all a detailed reenactment, but I need her for a minute." Susan interjected as she grabbed Abby's arm and pulled her out of the room.
"Subtle." Abby joked.
"Shut up."
"You're the one sticking the needle in me, so ok."
"That's better." Susan replied with a smirk. "Exam three is open.'
"Great."
……….
"I'm just going to crash here."
"You haven't been home but for fifteen minutes." Susan argued.
"I'm on in five hours." Abby argued back.
"I'll put a sign on the door."
"Thanks."
………
"Coffee and donuts!" Gallant yelled as he walked into the ER.
"You're a god send." Abby replied.
"I'm out of here." Susan interjected as she walked by the pack of ravenous doctors and nurses. "Hey Abby can I see you a minute?"
"Yeah." Abby replied as they walked into the empty lounge.
"Abby!" Greg called as he saw her walk into the lounge.
"Can I help you with something?" Gallant asked as he turned his attention to the man.
"I'm Greg, Abby's boyfriend." He defensively stated.
"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Michael Gallant."
"Nice to meet you." He replied as he shook his hand and continued on his way to the room he had seen Abby enter.
As he pushed open the door he caught the tail end of Susan's sentence. "You know you'll need to be tested in six months."
"Yep." Abby replied in a relieved tone.
"Retested?" Greg stated in disbelief, making his presence known.
"Greg! What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I'll see you later Abby. Call me when you get off." Susan stated as she hurriedly exited the room.
"Retested?"
"It's an Aid's test."
"What the hell are you getting one of those for?"
"The village we were in was attacked. I barely scraped my knee. It's a precaution."
"A precaution?" He asked in disbelief.
"Greg we need to talk." Abby stated as she sat down.
"Apparently so." He added as he joined her at the table.
There was no going back now. It was too late. Too much had happened. There was no way she could convince herself that this was the life she wanted.
"I can't be the wife who lives in a suburb and has a nice job, a nice husband, and kids."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's over." She blatantly stated.
"Abby."
"We want different things."
"Since when?"
"Since Africa, since before Africa."
Greg looked like a small animal trapped in the headlights. He knew they had problems, but they were committed. That is what committed was, getting through the imperfections.
"I know what you're thinking."
"Really?" He challenged.
"We were in this, together. But I wasn't, not really. Before Africa we were still so different. Your work and relationships are normal. Mine aren't. That's the easiest way to say it. There are obligations that come with them, and I intend to fulfill them."
"That's not fair Abby and you know it. Just because I don't save someone's life doesn't mean I don't have obligations." He rebutted.
"Forget that then. When I went to Africa it was incredible. There were so many people, so many needs, so many hardships. I can't ignore it. I won't ignore it. We have to be the ones who bring change." She passionately stated.
"So your giving up your life?"
"I guess so, if you want to put it that way. I know this is…I know it's not fair, but none of this is. I don't want you to miss out on what you want and deserve."
"Ok, I'll be out by the end of your shift."
"Greg…" He turned and faced her. "I didn't want this to happen. I love you, but…"
"But…" He recited.
"But those people need me more, hell they need anyone they can get."
"And I don't?"
"Not the way they do. There are so many women who would love to have the chance to be with you. Your amazing, but we're in two different places."
With that it was over. Greg stood up, and looked at Abby. "Ok then." He said, she could here the surrender in his voice.
"I'm sorry."
"Me too." He replied as he walked out of the lounge.
……….
"Abby." Jonah softly stated.
"Hey kiddo. How are you doing?"
"Did you have to work today?" His mother asked.
"Yeah, I'm on break right now. I thought I'd come and pay a visit"
His mother grabbed her hand. "Thank you."
"All I did was ride on a few planes." Abby replied.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome." She said with a smile as she squeezed her hand and kissed Jonah on the forehead. "I'll come back later."
……….
"John Carter please." She asked.
"Hello?"
"Carter." Abby excitedly stated.
"Abby. How's Jonah?"
"Great. He pulled through and is doing great."
"Good. How are you?"
"Fine. The initial tests came back negative."
"That's a good sign."
"Yes it is." She replied.
"Are you going to ask me? Or are we going to have to small talk for a few minutes?" He said with a chuckle.
"You know me too well."
"Yes, it's true."
"I want to get involved."
"Huh?"
"That's not what you thought I was going to ask?"
"I thought you were going to ask about Ethan." He explained. "But I like this better."
"Ethan huh?"
"Don't change the subject."
"I didn't you did."
"Fine Fine! I can't win an argument can I." He said with a grin Abby could picture. "Go see Sam again. He'll know what to do."
"You knew this would happen didn't you?"
"Once you see it."
"I was talking about Ethan."
"Oh, my mistake. He says hello."
"Thanks."
"Bye."
"Bye John."