AN: Thank you if you reviewed. I think I should have made Elise one year younger, I apologise for my mistake, I hope it won't spoil the story for you all.

The Other Side Of Never

Chapter Four

The Next Day

Carter woke to the sound of laughter, the pain of his throbbing foot and the dull ache of the remainder of his body. Gingerly he pushed back the covers and found to his surprise that the icy chill of yesterday had been replaced with a tepid temperature. Encouraged by this he left the warm cocoon of his bed and walked to the window, pulling the drapes and looking outside, into the back yard. He noticed several sets of snow angels imprinted around. The sound of laughter caused him to look the other way and he saw the three culprits making an odd looking snowman. As he watched them he smiled the first genuine smile he had smiled for months.

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That evening

'You weren't working again today then?' Carter asked Abby as she sat on the sofa reading, while he sat opposite her in an armchair.

'Weekend off' she replied

'Who takes care of the kids while you work?'

'Usually Nick's parents who live on the outskirts of town. Elise goes to school there. There's not much here, Bert's garage and a convenience store'

'Quiet'

'I like it that way, we moved here when I finished my residency last year. It's easier for me if Nick's parents take care of the kids'

Carter nodded and stared into his coffee.

'Okay' Abby said after a few minutes 'How long are you going to hide out here and wallow in self pity'

'Huh?' Carter said looking up

'When are you going to get your life together John?' she said more softly

'Like you have you mean' he said somewhat bitterly. Seeing her hurt look he added 'sorry' and gave a long drawn out sigh.

'My life's okay you know' she told him 'Not....' she paused struggling for the right words 'Not really great, but good and the kids are wonderful and help me to...' she bit her lip and looked into the corner of the room. 'To survive and find a reason to fight for my dreams, have you got a reason to fight for your aspirations and dreams Carter?'

'Not really, no' he replied with a slight shake of his head as he bit down on his bottom lip.

'What do you want to do?' she asked

He looked directly at her and shrugged.

'You want to stay at County?'

He shrugged again.

'You want to continue working as a doctor?'

'Yeah' he replied nodding

'Well that's something isn't it? What about the Carter family stuff?'

'Carter family stuff as you put it is like a noose around my neck'

'Did you ever change the way the money was donated?'

'A bit after I came back from Africa but most of it still goes to the Arts and such'

'You could still change things Carter. Possibly ensure that the money went to needy children in this country or something, it's not too late'

'Time consuming though'

'Worth the effort'

'Maybe'

'If it makes you feel better, it's worth it' Abby told him

'Mmm' he muttered and gave her a wry grin.

'How long are you going to stay?' she asked him

'Trying to get rid of me already?'

'Nope' she shook her head 'Just seeing if you want a couple of shifts'

'What here in town? It's a small hospital Abby'

'I know I work there we are still short staffed, people still get sick. They are always looking for attendings in the ER, not that I'm down there that much'

'Mmmm. Pediatrics, interesting choice Abby'

'What you thought I would be an ER attending?'

He shook his head from side to side 'Not sure' he finally said

'So?' she asked

'What?'

'Do you want to pull a few shifts?'

'Oh yeah, yeah a couple of shifts would be good'

'I'll see what's available' she replied 'Give you a week or two to heal first'

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