Hey Guys, here is chapter 9. Thank you once again for all the amazing reviews, I love hearing what you think! My story isn't lusan or carby or carsan or luby. I just hate those labels. This is one of my favourite chapters but it caused me more pain than any of them. I saved it and then my computer crashed and I lost it all! I screamed for a little while before taking a deep breath and getting back down to it and it's turned out just fine, I hope you enjoy it!

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Chapter 9: Raising the pulse rate

Carter barely noticed as Luka dashed past him, too wrapped up in kicking piles of fresh snow to the ground, more to the point too wrapped up in Abby. He thought back to the night before, how it had ended. He had walked straight out of the room without so much as a single glance back. He sighed and wondered if that had been the biggest mistake of his life.

Then he thought back to earlier that day, at Susan's place. He remembered how concerned Luka had been, how he had practically ran into her apartment to see if she was okay. Carter wondered why he hadn't felt like that when he found out Abby was sick.

It wasn't that he didn't love her, or that they lacked chemistry. They had plenty, maybe even too much. He had been through it all before with her, she was extraordinary, he had never met anyone like her before. Able to destroy anything and everything she touched, cause total chaos with a single breath. Yet she was so beautiful, so ordinary yet so extraordinary, so full of love and yet so full of hate, so sweet and yet so sour. She made him sadder than anyone else could and yet no-one made him laugh like her... Life was just one big oxymoron with Abby...

He kicked yet another pile of snow flat, somehow hoping to gain the courage he was desperately looking for. Apparently it didn't lie at the bottom of that particular pile of snow. He looked towards the hospital, trying to imagine what she would be doing now. His watch beeped. Time to go back to the ER...

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Abby pressed Susan's doorbell once again. She looked down at her watch and wondered where she could be- surely she wasn't still asleep? Abby waited a little longer before pressing again. She tapped her foot gently, becoming impatient. Finally the door buzzed and Abby headed inside.

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Susan smiled as brightly as she could as she let Abby into her apartment. She began to lead the way into the lounge, not saying a word, she caught sight of herself in a mirror and sighed. She was completely white with the slightly tinge of green. She grimaced, suddenly feeling butterflies in her stomach. She sprinted to the bathroom, Abby following quickly behind.

Abby paused, Are you Okay?

Susan finished being sick and got up to splash her face with cold water. She dried it with a towel before opening the door and meeting Abby's concerned face.

I'm fine She lied, leaning back to steady herself on the door frame.

You don't look it Abby used the back of her hand to take Susan's temperature, slightly taken aback at how hot she was she placed her hand on the small of Susan's back, and began to direct her to the sofa.

Susan sat down, letting out a sigh of relief as she finally rested her weary body against the sofa cushions. Abby once again touched her face, this time to brush a single strand of hair from Susan's eyes. Susan smiled slightly and Abby leaned back slightly, not wanting to have her new leather jacket ruined just yet.

I'm sorry. Susan lay back further into the sofa cushion, For the other day, I mean. I shouldn't have left you. Abby laughed slightly.

I can't believe you're apologising to me. Susan, I was completely out of line, if you'd have said the same to me... I don't know what I would have done but I certainly wouldn't be letting you into my apartment right now.

Well as you can see I'm not exactly in a stable state of mind! Susan laughed.

Does that mean you forgive me? Susan nodded.

Of course I do. Just don't make a habit of it okay? This time it was Abby's turn to laugh.

I don't think Carter would be too happy about me trying that again.

Yeah I guess. How are things with you guys? Abby let out a sigh.

Not great. Her smile faded and it was replaced by a look of sadness, He broke up with me.

He did? Susan raised her eyebrows- obviously shocked. Abby simply nodded.

It's okay. I think I've just got to give him time. She shrugged,

I know. He'll come round. He loves you. Abby took a deep breath, finally finding the courage she needed to ask the question that had been playing on her mind for the last couple of days.

How are you and Luka? Susan smiled broadly and Abby suddenly realised her and Luka were over, finally. They had nothing left. The look on Susan's face as she mentioned his name said it all. Luka had been running around like a dog on heat for the last few days and Susan hadn't been much better. Abby smiled, realising she was probably watching the man she loved and her best friend falling in love. Her gut instinct had been right, Luka was happy and Abby certainly wasn't going to get in the way

Were, good. Very good. I mean, I like him. He's a great guy. Abby sighed, nodding as best she could.

Yeah, he's a great guy. Susan sensed the sadness in Abby voice and leaned closer towards her. You are okay about this aren't you? I mean, were only friends, Abby- nothing more. Abby laughed. Leaning in and giving Susan a hug.

Me and Luka, were well and truly over- I promise. He likes you, Susan. And there is no way you can tell me you only like him as a friend. She let go of Susan. If you like it go for it, there's no point wasting time. Susan smiled, grateful to finally have Abby's blessing.

Abby, I'm going to be sick.

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