Author's Note: I got chapter three done before I thought I would so here it is! I know it's a little short, but I wanted to get it done before I started school on Monday. Chapter four will hopefully be done either by the Wednesday or the end of the week, depending on homework load and other activities. I'm sorry there wasn't much Carby fuzz in this chapter, there will definitely be some in the next one though. Chapter four will probably be rated R, just to forewarn. I hope you like the story so far. Please read and review!

Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1

Rating: PG-13 to be safe.

Meant To Be - Chapter 3

Sixteen long, grueling and stressful hours later, the chaos had finally died down. Three of the seventeen traumas had been DOA and two more had died while the doctors were working on them. He was glad that they were able to save so many of the people sent to them, but was saddened that they couldn't save the ones that had died, even with all the medicines and equipment at their fingertips. The critical patients had been stabilized and sent to surgery, recovery, or other departments of the hospital. The victims with superficial wounds and walk-ins had been treated and sent on their way due to the effectiveness of Abby, Chuny, and Halleh, who had worked triage together many times before. Only about nine other patients were left in the waiting room to be assessed and treated.

As Dr. Carter left Trauma One, he slid to the floor against the opposite wall, curled his legs, and rested his head on his tired arms. He sat there for a few minutes until he raised his head wearily at the sound of footsteps. "Hey," Abby said, giving him a tired smile, "you're a sight for sore eyes." She collapsed down beside him, laying her head on his shoulder. "You too," he replied, grasping her hand lightly in his own. "You should go home. You pulled a double shift today on hardly any sleep," she responded.

"I know, they should really pay us for overtime, we'd be reaping in the riches. How long do you have until you're off," he asked, lightly running his thumb over her hand. "You already are reaping in the riches, John," she laughed at him, "just one more hour, thank god. Then it's home, a warm bath, and bed." He smirked a little, "Is there any room for me in this plan?" "Only if you promise to behave yourself."

"Don't worry, I will. I'm too tired to be up to any tricks tonight. I just want to hold you in my arms," he kissed her forehead then slowly pushed his aching body up from the floor. "A hot bath sounds really good right now. My muscles hurt from all the continuous and straining work we had to do today. I'll wait for you in the lounge while you finish up. I'm gonna go to admit to tell everyone that I'm off, want to come with me?" "Yeah," she sighed, grabbing his offered hand as he pulled her to her feet.

As they trudged to the admit desk, the two noted that it was almost deserted of staff, save a few nurses, Frank, and Randi at the desk. "Where is everyone," Carter asked. "How the hell should I know? I'm not everyone's babysitter," Frank bellowed. "Lounge," Randi replied, popping her gum as she looked through charts. They headed to the lounge, where they found most of the staff, relaxing until the next batch of patients came in and making a schedule of who would be on the rest of the night and the next day.

"Hey Carter, Abby. You guys all finished with your patients," Mark asked as they entered. "Yeah, Mrs. Smith just went up to surgery with Corday for a spleen removal and to repair some liver damage," Carter replied, scratching the back of his head. Abby sat down next to Susan on the couch, "The little boy in curtain two just went home. Broke his wrist and needed some sutures." "Great," Kerry replied, "where are you two on your shifts?" "I had an eighteen hour shift. I still have about forty minutes left," Abby answered. "I'm off. I pulled a double today, I was supposed to be off at ten this morning," Carter responded, glancing at his watch, which read 11:23.

"Alright, it's pretty slow right now. Why don't you two go home, Susan and Luka, you as well. Jing Mei, you still have about three hours to finish. Mark, since you were off yesterday, you will cover a full shift. You too, Neela. Melucci, because of your antics the other day, you are going to take a double shift." "But Chief," Dave protested, "I worked yesterday!" "I don't care! This is your punishment and you must take it, or you're fired! You need to stop sitting on your ass all the time or playing pranks on everyone and start doing something around here. No more arguments, you're working a double," Weaver shouted. Melucci growled and stormed out of the lounge. "Mark, if he starts any trouble or isn't doing what he's supposed to, let me know. I'm going home, night all," Weaver bid farewell.

"I wish I could go home," Chuny sighed and crossed her arms. Halleh, who was sitting beside her at the table, responded, "You're preaching to the choir, girl." Sam replied, "I could cover a half-shift for you, but it'll have to be in the morning. I have to get home to Alex." "I'll cover the other six hours tonight," Lydia piped in. "Thanks guys," Chuny answered as she rose from her seat and gathered her stuff. "You're my girl, Halleh, I will take your shift," Malik said as he reached out a fist. She pressed her fist against his, laughing, "Thanks Malik." "No problem, girl," he replied.

"Well, this has all been really fun, but I have a midnight date tonight," Susan said as she stood. "Really? That late," Lily asked. "Yeah, his name is Bed," she smiled. Abby laughed, "Oh really? Then we must be dating the same guy. My date's name is Bed too; he's soft and comfortable. With a little bath thrown in too, the date will be heavenly." Many of her coworkers laughed along with her at the joke. "I'm gonna go too, before I get sucked back into working again," Carter said then attempted to stand and when he failed, he held his hands out, "somebody help me, I've sat and can't get up." Another bout of laughter filled the room. Abby grasped his hands and pulled him up, "Wimp." He objected to the name-calling, "Hey!" Susan, himself, and Abby went to their lockers and retrieved their belongings. Since Carter's was right next to Abby's, he whispered discreetly in her ear, "Meet me outside and we'll go together. I'll drive you home." She nodded and put on her coat. She and Susan said goodnight to everyone and Carter did the same a few minutes later.

He met her by the Jeep and after he'd unlocked the passenger side door, he gave her a passionate kiss. "I've been waiting to do that all day," he said, smiling at her. "Me too, and it was worth the wait. Now let's get home so I can take my bath." "Your wish is my command," he replied coyly. They returned to her apartment and Abby drew the warm water for them. As they stripped themselves down to nothing, they stood there, admiring each other's body. Neither could smolder the heat rising in their bodies or the lust in their eyes.

Carter stepped into the bath first, leaning against the back, and Abby settling against his chest. He kissed along her shoulder and lightly sucked at the skin in the crook between that and her neck. She let out a little moan and she turned to kiss him. They leaned back again as Abby slowly ran the washcloth over their bodies, cleaning the sweat and grime that had accumulated from the day. Then they just sat in the comfort of one another, his arms wrapped around her abdomen, her fingers entwined with his. A few minutes later, Abby noticed that Carter had been lightly snoring. She carefully got and woke him up, "John, wake up. Let's go to bed, the water's getting cold." He got out and dried himself off then put on a pair of boxers. She donned some pajama pants and a spaghetti strap t-shirt. Together, they climbed into bed and Carter wrapped his arms around her once again. They both fell asleep, exhausted but content.