Susan recognised the familiar position. She was once again kneeling on her bathroom floor rubbing comforting circles on Abby's back as she threw up in the toilet. She could hear Luka outside, trying to reassure Carter that everything was ok and Abby was just fighting a stomach bug. She could also hear Megan trying to get Carter to tell her what was going on. She'd only said two words to the woman but her whining voice immediately annoyed Susan not to mention the fact that although she had no idea, she was the reason Abby couldn't stop throwing up.
"I'll be back in a minute try and relax" she instructed her distraught friend. This was the last thing Abby needed, she'd been all set to tell Carter then he drops this bombshell. Sending Abby's world into a tailspin once again.
Opening the door just enough so she could get out but no one could see in Susan closed the door behind her.
"Luka can I talk to you for a moment" she said pulling him away from Carter and Megan.
"Sure" he smiled "Why don't you go back and say hi to everyone it's been months since you've seen them"
"Ok … are you sure everything's ok?" Carter asked yet again, still not convinced by Luka's explanation of why Abby bolted for the toilet minutes after his arrival with a worried looking Susan hot on her heels.
"It's fine … like I said just a bug going round"
Luka watched Megan practically drag Carter towards the living room chatting excitedly about how she couldn't wait to break the news to everyone else.
"I really don't like her" Susan said watching the two retreating forms.
"You hardly know her" Luka argued attempting to be the voice of reason.
"And I don't want to know her either … besides I'm Abby's best friend it's my job to hate her"
"Women" Luka chuckled, catching a glimpse of the closed bathroom door his expression turned to a worried frown "How is she"
Sighing Susan pulled him into her bedroom just to make definitely sure they were alone "She's in a right state … she's got herself so worked up after seeing Carter like that. Not to mention his surprise bit of news that she can't quit throwing up"
"It's the last thing she needs" Luka sighed as if he was reading Susan's mind "Especially considering she's 16 weeks pregnant"
"I know I think one of us should take her to the hospital, you know just to be on the safe side. Her back and stomach are hurting from all the heaving plus I think she's dehydrated from all the throwing up … It's better to be safe than sorry right?"
"Yeah, I think it would be better if you took her though. She'll probably be more comfortable with you than me" Luka reasoned.
"Probably but I can't leave I'm the hostess people will get suspicious, plus you have you're car"
"Ok. I'll get my keys" Luka answered in agreement knowing she was right, people were already beginning to put the pieces together anyway.
"I'll go and see if I calm her down a bit"
Quietly opening the door to the darkly lit bathroom so she didn't startle Abby, Susan once again knelt down beside her friend. Abby was no longer hunched over the toilet but instead leant against the bath both emotionally and physically exhausted. Susan realised that the hard panel on the side of the bath was probably the only thing keeping her upright.
"You ok" she asked although she was pretty sure she knew the answer.
"Not really" Abby mumbled her eyes still closed.
"At least you're not throwing up anymore" she observed attempting to reassure Abby.
"Yeah"
"Listen, Luka's going to take you to the hospital just to be on the safe side, you're probably dehydrated from all the throwing up … I would come with you instead but it would look a bit suspicious if I left when it's my party"
"Ok" Abby breathed completely worn out. She was so tired of everything and angry at herself for being naïve as to think things would settle down once Carter returned "Thanks"
"Hey it's no problem, you just look after yourself ok? and I'll drop by yours or the hospital, as soon as I can get rid of the masses without causing alarm"
Susan was surprised that Abby had agreed to go to the hospital with Luka so easily, she had expected at least some resistance. But then again being pregnant had changed a lot of things. Abby's priorities had shifted almost immediately. She went to an AA meeting every other morning, either rang or met up with her sponsor once a week, had quit smoking and given up caffeine.
A soft knocking on the door broke Susan from her silent reverie.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"Luka"
Opening the door the light from the hall illuminated the bathroom more allowing Susan to see just how pale Abby looked.
"It might be easier to phone OB see if you can take her straight up there, gossip spreads too fast in the ER"
"Sure … you ok to stand up" he asked in a low voice leaning down so he was eye to eye with Abby.
Abby nodded taking the help offered to her by Susan "I'm sorry about all this" she whispered as Luka put his arm around her waist to help her.
"Don't worry about … I'll see you later" Susan said putting Abby's coat over her shoulders as Luka led her out the door.
Closing the door she was immediately met by a confused and unless she was mistaken jealous looking Carter.
"From the way it looked earlier I would have guessed it was you and Luka that had got together while I was away, not Abby and Luka" Carter told Susan either choosing to ignore or not seeing the anger that flushed across her face.
"Yeah well looks can be deceiving" she practically spat at him "Now if you don't mind I have a party to get to"
Carter grabbed hold of Susan's shoulder so she had no choice but to stay and talk to him "Do you have a problem with me?" he asked "It's just that in the short time I've been here and earlier at County you've been really …. Cold"
"Gee I don't know Carter, maybe it has something to do with the fact that you swan off for three months, dump my best friend … a woman you claimed to love by fax and then waltz in here after three months and parade your fiancé in front of her with a total disregard for her feelings" Susan didn't mean to attack him like that but she really didn't recognise him anymore.
"Look you have no idea what went on between Abby and I … I don't know what she's told you but I wasn't the only one in the blame" he defended "And Megan well it's not like I planned to get engaged in Africa"
"No you're wrong Carter, you're the one that has no idea" Susan told him pulling him towards the spare room so they could continue arguing in private "You have no idea what Abby's been going through since you left, and if you cared about her like you claimed to just 4 months ago, you wouldn't have just announced your engagement like you did"
"I didn't think" he sighed as Susan's words hit home.
"No … you didn't" Susan agreed she wasn't about to become a part of his pity party when he'd brought most of it upon himself.
"Look you're one of my oldest friends I don't want to fall out with you and I certainly didn't plan to hurt Abby but…" he trailed off not really having an explanation for her. Running his hands through his hair with an exasperated sigh he began speaking again "I start back at County in 4 weeks, can't you at least try and see things from my point of view?" he pleaded.
"Well welcome back Carter … but don't expect me to be singing in the trauma rooms about it. You know I thought I knew you but I really don't recognise you anymore" she said getting up and leaving Carter alone in the spare room to contemplate what she'd said.
***
The rest of the party was ruined for Susan. Carter and Megan's shock announcement got a somewhat deflated congratulations from everyone else. Except those who didn't know Carter and the history between him and Abby. Even Chen. Who made no secret about the fact she didn't really like Abby, and who was one of Carters closest friends looked perplexed.
Susan however wasn't paying that much attention she was too worried about Abby and too busy avoiding Megan who had made it her mission to become Susan's new best friend.
"Susan isn't it?" she asked approaching her yet again.
Susan was about to reply with yet another excuse when she was saved from having to make one up by the ringing of her mobile phone.
"Susan" she answered.
"It's Luka" came the voice on the other end.
"Excuse me, I need to take this in private" she told Megan as she made her way towards the front door so she could speak outside where it was quieter.
"Hey … sorry about that" she sighed "How is she?" she asked.
" The baby's fine but like you guessed Abby's dehydrated so there giving her IV fluids and they're going to keep her in for 12 hours just to be sure, she's sleeping now"
"Thank God" she smiled letting out a breath she didn't realise she'd been holding until now "I'll be there as soon as I can … and Luka, thanks"
"No problem" he replied.
Susan made her way back inside she couldn't believe how things had gone from bad to worse so quickly. She didn't want to fall out with Carter but his insensitive attitude towards Abby was inexcusable. She knew things hadn't been great between them towards the end but there was no need for him to throw the fact he'd moved on her face like he had tonight.
Then there was the fact that Abby was carrying his baby. He was engaged to be married with no idea that in 5 months time he was going to be a father.
