This one, the penultimate chapter, also jumps around in time a bit – but only nearing the end :) The usual thanks then:

            Carby6

            Starbright

            Matchstickgirl – thanks to all of you three for reviews. Any reviews are great so thank you very much indeed.

            JanBry – No problem that it's "late". Good reviews can never be too late so thank you for that. I'm glad you liked the whole 'looks they have when thinking of each other' thing. Thought it sounded kinda sweet…

            Britgirl – YES! The yelling across the road thing was fun, I found it fun to write (is that sad?) it's just that I could really see it clearly in my head. Thankyou for your review, I think you are succeeding in giving me my most number of reviews. Thank you plenty.

            So anyway – on with the story, it's almost all over. Enjoy! Love LJ xXx

            "It's ok, it's ok," Susan soothed as she led Abby back inside and into the empty Lounge.

            "What is it?" Luka asked, following them hurriedly before he was caught and kept overtime.

            "He came back," Abby explained between sobs. "And he's gone. Again. I didn't even see him – but he must have seen me. And he must've not cared." She dug her face into Susan's coat and carried on crying.

            "What happened, Susan?" Luka murmured, over Abby head. Susan smiled, grimly and rubbed her friend's back.

            "It'll be alright," she replied, to both of them. "Look, Abby. I think you should go home and relax – you've worked too hard, you're tired and you're obviously upset. I'll take you home, right now, okay?" She felt Abby nod and Susan helped her to her feet. Luka grabbed Abby's coat off the back of her chair and draped it around her as they left the Lounge.

            "Kovac, where do you think you're going?" Kerry Weaver's unsympathetic voice sounded from around the corner then Weaver, herself, hobbled into view and stood glaring at the tall Croatian.

            "Home – my shift is over, Kerry." He told her, simply.

            "Well, change of plan, you're staying. There's an MVA coming in," she snapped. Luka looked at Susan and Abby, and then at the glowering Kerry Weaver, hesitantly.

            "Forget it, I'll stay – my shift started ten minutes ago anyway," Susan sighed and reluctantly left Abby's side. Weaver glanced at her watch.

            "Good, you can stay an extra ten minutes afterwards, too," she barked and marched off. Susan rolled her eyes.

            "God, someone needs to up her morphine," she muttered, darkly before turning to Luka and Abby. "Will you walk her home then, Luka?"

            "Of course,"

            Susan smiled at him and hugged Abby.

            "Cheer up, honey," she whispered before grabbing a chart and leaving. Luka put his arm around Abby and walked out into the bitterly cold winter.

            "Let's take you home," he murmured and wrapped her coat more tightly around her as the pair of them headed home, fighting the elements in mutual silence. They reached her building and he pushed open the door to allow her in first, escaping the chilling wind and heavy sleet. He looked at her, standing in the middle of the dimly lit entrance with her wet hair and clothes plastered to her skin, as though he was seeing her for the first time. She sneezed suddenly and he smiled.

            "Lovely weather," he commented. His voice echoed through the empty building and felt too loud. He spoke again in a whisper: "How are you feeling?" She breathed a laugh.

            "Cold."

            Luka grinned. "Me too,"  He shook his head violently, sending water droplets flying from his hair. She smiled and took his hand.

            "Come up with me," she led him up the stairs to her apartment. "As a friend, as my friend," she added. "Is that okay?"

            "Of course," he answered, but all the same, his heart pounded furiously as he climbed the stairs after her.

*           *           *

            "She got back okay, then?" Susan asked him when he returned to the ER, minutes later.

            "Yeah," he replied, quietly. She leant over the admin desk and looked at him. Luka noticed her watching and forced a smile.

            "You okay?" she spoke softly. He ran his hands through his damp hair and tapped his fingers on the desk for a while before answering.

            "Yes," he said, firmly and decidedly. "Yes, I am."

            "Good," Susan rubbed his arm, understandingly. She looked at her watch. "Well, I'm off." She grabbed her coat and flung her scarf around her neck.

            "Hey, Susan," Luka began, digging his hands into his coat pockets, awkwardly. "You want to go and get some coffee or something?" Susan smiled as she tugged a pair of gloves on and she shrugged.

            "Sure, why not?"

*           *           *

            Luka had followed Abby up the stairs until they came to her door. Abby took out her keys and put them in the lock as Luka watched. Then, before she opened the door, he kissed her quickly. She looked at him, stunned for a moment.

            "As a friend," he added, hastily. "Honest." Abby swung her front door open and flicked on the light. Carter was standing in the middle of her living room.

            "Hi, Abby," Carter greeted, sheepishly.

            "Bye, Abby." Luka had whispered, leaving her in shock as he slipped away. He had guessed Carter would be there – he was resigned to the fact that that's how it would always be. He pulled his thick coat closer around him and strode back to County General.