Hey guys, thank you so much for reading this fic. I realise the last few chapters have been a little shorter than most of you probably would have liked and this one is much the same, however I've got chapter 6 almost sorted so that will be up hopefully in the next few hours, if it's not already up when you are reading this! Once again thank you for all the support, keeping reading and reviewing :)

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

Chapter 5: It Doesn't Matter What You Say

Carter paced the hospital, not knowing which way to turn. He had received a call about an hour ago from county, at first he had presumed it was work, someone had called in sick and the ER needed him but it wasn't- it was worse.

He couldn't believe she had done it again. After the hundreds of times they had talked, the millions of meetings they had attended together, the engagement ring he had just placed on her finger...

None of it seemed to matter to Abby, nothing at all. Carter had been through hell and back the last few years. The stabbing, the drugs, the drinking... He thought she finally understood, he had finally found someone who understood him, who wanted him- just the way he was.

But she didn't understand, no-one understood. She was drunk, very drunk, dangerously drunk. Before he had blamed Luka, then he blamed Susan but this time there was only one person to blame for Abby drinking- himself.

He smiled half heartedly as Kerry came towards him. She smiled also and handed him Abby's chart.

We pumped her stomach. Kerry paused to place a hand on Carter's shoulder, she's okay but she drank an awful lot. I think you might want to, to get her some help. Carter became to shake as the tears began to flow freely down his face. Kerry patted his back gently, trying to reassure him, I can arrange it if you want He shook his head.

No, no- I can do that

Susan smiled as Luka brought her a cup of coffee. He sat beside her, wrapping one arm around her shivering body and using the other to touch her forehead.

You're burning up

I'm sorry about this, I didn't know who else to call

It's okay, I'm glad you called me. He smiled, stroking the head away from her face before getting up, Do you have any blankets?

Um yeah, in my bedroom, in the wardrobe.

Luka headed to her bedroom and scanned the room for a wardrobe. It was in the far corner, a pale wooden colour. He opened in slowly, feeling slightly uncomfortable about going through Susan's clothes. He found the blankets easily and took two from the pile before heading back to where Susan lay. She was already asleep, curled up into a ball. He threw the blanket over her and hauled her feet onto the sofa so she would be more comfortable before heading to her bathroom.

He found a thermometer quickly and took her temperature, almost 100. She was burning up. He sighed, pulling another blanket over her and heading off in search of the phone.

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

Abby awoke, putting a hand to her throbbing head and giving out a gentle yelp of pain. She opened her eyes slowly, squinting as the bright light entered them. She rubbed away the sleep before scanning her surroundings.

She rubbed her head in confusion, not being able to place where she was. The last 24 hours were a blur of colours, sounds and lights. She took a closer look around and let out a loud groan as she realised where she was. Suddenly the door creaked open and she heard a voice.
What are you trying to do- kill yourself?

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