OK, clarification time. In chapter one, after:

"I stood up and walked aimlessly into the kitchen. My eyes fell on the calendar and I realized it had been exactly two years since I had driven Carter away. I felt my eyes well up with tears but I bit them back. I could stop them from coming but not the memory of what I had done," a flashback sequence starts.

So, the first bit of chapter one is the present and then the rest is Abby remembering what happened with her and Carter. Sorry I didn't make that clear. Anyway, this chapter continues with the flashback for the first section and then goes into the present. I'll make some sort of indication when that time comes. Enjoy and review. I hope you understand a bit better now.

""What's going on?" The lounge was full of balloons and a bowl of punch sat on the table, surrounded by a load of presents.

"It's Carter's going away party," Susan said.

I looked across the lounge to where Carter was standing in a small group of friends. Our eyes met briefly but I looked back at Susan. "Where's he going?"

Susan shrugged. "Dunno. I don't think he knows either. All I know is that he wants to get as far away from you as possible." She headed over to Carter as I was left, staring after her in disbelief. I thought that Susan would understand. Or at least support me.

********************

I was standing behind the admit desk when Carter approached me cautiously. "Just wanted to say good-bye," he said.

"Good-bye." I didn't even look up. I was furious. How dare he run away? Who did he think he was. . .me?

"Well, um, have a nice life, Abby." He placed his hand on mine. "I'm sorry for whatever I did." Then he was gone. Just like that, he was out of my life. Forever. Well, almost.

************************** (PRESENT!!!)

"The new attending starts today," Jake said as we got off the El.

I nodded. "It's about time," I mumbled. "We've been short one doctor for the past year and a half."

Susan looked up as Jake and I walked through the door. She smiled. "The new attending is here," she said. She looked extremely pleased.

"You're grinning like an idiot," Jake said, jokingly.

Susan giggled. "I know." She disappeared into the lounge.

"What's with her?" Jake asked.

I shrugged. "I have no idea."

"Abby, we need you in curtain one," Chuny called. "See you later," I said and kissed Jake quickly on the lips.

**********************

"Is the new attending here?"

Chuny nodded. We were approaching the admit desk. I could see Jake talking to someone.

"I haven't met him yet. I've been on for," I checked my watch, "7 hours and I haven't run into him. That's odd."

"That's him," Chuny said, pointing at the guy Jake was talking to. Then she dashed off to triage.

The new attending was sort of tall with brown hair. Jake smiled and waved at me. "This is my girlfriend," he said. "She's a doctor here too."

The new attending turned around.

My breath caught in my throat. "C-Carter," I stuttered. "W-w-what are you doing here?"

"I'm the new attending," he said, matter-of-factly.

My mouth was hanging open. "Do you know him?" Jake asked.

"He worked here two years ago," I said, my eyes fixed on Carter's.

"We were. . ." Carter paused.

"Best friends," I finished. The last thing I needed was for Jake to know about my history with Carter.

"So what happened?" Jake asked. "You just lose touch?"

I glared at Carter with all the hate I could muster. "We fell out," I said. Carter just kept looking at me.

"OK, well. . .I gotta get back to work," Jake said. I knew he sensed the tension between Carter and me. God, you could have cut the tension with a knife. Jake kissed my cheek, which made Carter wince. "See ya later, babe," Jake said.

I headed off towards exam 4 but Carter called after me. I turned around. "We need to talk," he said.

OK, I hope everyone understands now. I'm sooooo sorry I didn't make it clear. So, review! Yay! Merry Christmas!