You Can Count On Me- A Carby Fanfic Summary- What would have happened if Carter had turned around that night? Here's what I think would have happened. In this series, Romano will not and does not die. So there!

Disclaimer- None of these characters are mine, at least not yet. However my birthday is in a couple of days, so TCB if any of you are out there . . .

" I can't keep doing this John!", Abby yelled from the sidewalk. Carter stopped, his heart and mind at battle. Finally he gave into his heart and stopped, turning around and opening his arms. Abby ran toward him and buried her face into his thick, warm chest. He led her to his car and they both sat in the backseat, Abby's small frame buried into his muscular body. As her body heaved with sobs, Carter's heart broke in two. He felt guilty and stupid for causing Abby so much pain when he knew that she loved him.

Abby looked up at him, her dark, overflowing eyes melding into his. And for the first time ever, Carter heard the words he had longed to hear from this woman. " I do love John. I love you with all of my heart. I can't remember a time when I've been with you and didn't feel safe and loved. Even when we fought, I still felt as if you were the only person I would ever be able to love with my whole being. And to think that over foolish pride I would have lost that all is too much to bear. Please don't go John." John felt that if he loved her any more or if he were any happier, his heart would burst. But he was a bit annoyed that she hadn't seen the obvious in the situation. " I love you more than words alone can say, but I have to go back to the Congo. People need me there and what's more, I need to find Luka." Abby nodded slowly and said, almost meekly, " I understand that you have to go get Luka now, but why did you go in the first place? You know I didn't want you to go and then you weren't talking to me and the next thing I know you were leaving. Do you have any idea how much you hurt me? I think I was about ready to ask you to marry me instead of the other way around."

Tears welled up in Carter's eyes as he said, " Abby, believe me when I tell you this, I never meant to hurt you. I just needed some time to sort myself out and I thought that you didn't really love me, though I know better now. But when I went, all I could think about every waking moment was you. When I had to deal with children who were sick, I thought about how you would have been able to make them feel better with just that reassuring smile of yours. When I went to bed at night, I would think about how complete I felt when you were next to me, your sweet smell emanating through the room." He broke off when he noticed Abby's shoulders heaving. He bent over her and asked, " Are you laughing or crying?"

Abby looked up at him and, though her face was tear-streaked, she was smiling. " Both. I was laughing at the fact that we both missed the same things about each other and I was crying because I'm so happy that you came back to me, but there's a possibility that you won't come back this time." In a herculean effort not to make her cry again, Carter grinned comically and said, " You mean that you didn't miss my perfect looks?"

Abby smiled faintly and said, " Promise me that you'll come back."

" I'd cross through brimstone, hell and crossfire just to be with you. But you have to promise me to wait."

She nodded solemnly. " I will." She shook her head and began to laugh, tears of mirth streaming down her face. " It sounds like you're going away for life or something." Carter grinned, glad to see the eyes that just a little while ago, were dull and cloudy, now back to their usual clear, mischievous sparkle. Abby smiled back at him and in a short, quick movement, reached up and kissed him on the lips. Before she could pull away, Carter pulled her head toward his, his tongue begging entrance to her mouth. She parted her lips willingly, thinking happily of how much he tasted of . . . well, . . . Carter.

She laughed at her thought causing him to pull away and look at her curiously. She grinned and said, " I was just thinking about how much you taste like chocolate and oranges and then underneath is a taste I can only describe as you." He gave her a long look, and kissed her softly and sweetly.

When they had to stop for the want of air, Abby said, " Make sure you keep in contact with me. You have to call every day, or I'll have you horsewhipped." She hugged him and got out of the car quickly, before he could see that she was crying again. She was halfway down the block when she felt someone grab her by the arm.

"Do you want to go to the airport with me?", Carter asked. She smiled sadly as she said, "You know I do, but I have to work. I'm not off for another hour and this break has already taken too long. Dr. Weaver isn't going to let me go."

"Are you willing to work the night shift?"

"You know that I am!" she replied with a grin.

They both ran to the ER entrance, in their hurry, almost knocking a patient over. Abby walked up to Kerry and said, " Dr. Weaver, may I speak with you privately for a moment?" She walked behind Abby in the direction of the lounge.

Kerry smiled as Abby asked her question and said, " Of course you can go to the airport. As a matter of fact, don't even come back for the rest of the night, you're officially off." Abby grinned and hugged her, leaving a surprised Kerry standing in the lounge. She ran to the front desk, looking for Carter, but he was no where to be found. Chuni walked up to her and said, " Carter said to tell you that he'll be right back." Abby flashed her a grateful smile and said, "Thanks Chuni."

About five minutes later, Carter pulled up to the ambulance bay and honked. With a quick goodbye to every body, she ran outside in to the night.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

At the airport, Carter dashed off and quickly came back bearing snacks and a triumphant smile. " Abby can you pass me that shoulder bag?" he asked, knowing that it was the hardest to manage. As she struggled to lift it up, a male voice came on and made the boarding calls and then said, " Abigail Lockhart, John Carter would like to know if you would please marry him." Abby spun around with tears in her eyes to see Carter down on one knee holding out an opened ring box.

" Abby, I've known you for years and ever since I first met you I knew that you were the one for me. There have been many obstacles, but here we are today, happy with each other. And then I think, what better thing to do than marry you, the woman of my dreams. So, Abigail Lockhart will you marry me?" She promptly burst into tears and whispered, " Yes!" as Carter slid the ring on her finger. He hugged her tightly and kissed her, amidst applause from onlookers.

Finally Abby asked, "Well what spurred this spontaneous question?" He smiled happily, and said, "Well I called Kerry to ask her to give you the rest of the night off and of course she agreed. Then Susan got on the phone and they both told me how happy they were that we were back together. They also said that although they both love me very much, if I ever hurt you like that again, they would think of various ways to make my life miserable. That got me to thinking and I know that I love you so I wanted to do something to ensure that I never did anything so stupid again."

Abby smiled and shook her head. "I guess I owe them a huge thank you."

The same male voice came on, this time making a boarding call for Carter's flight. Abby's face fell and she struggled to keep herself from crying. "I'm gonna miss you so much John!", she whispered, tears dropping with every word. He kissed her sweetly and picked her up, spinning her around. She smiled faintly, remembering their favourite game, which almost always caused them to end up in bed. 'Not this time' she thought remorsefully as he put her down and walked towards the gate. "I love you Abby!" he yelled. She turned from him and said quietly, "I love you John, always and forever."