I like this chapter and I've written the next chapter also but that needs a little bit of work before I post it. After that though I have a Romeo and Juliet essay to write so I might not be able to post another one for a while. Oh and by the way I have NO idea why I used this title I heard it on a tv show the other day and thought hell why not? Okay, enough babbling, except please some other writers who aren't carbies come out and write! Enjoy the chapter guys and of course, as always, review!

Chapter 22: The Witching Hour

What's so urgent? Abby looked down at Carter, the scene a familiar one. Doc Magoos, her, him, a cooling cup of coffee placed on the table in front of him. The backdrop darkness, the night drawing in. Both angry, both slightly embarrassed, both very uncomfortable.

She wondered if this was the right thing to do. In all honestly it wasn't really her place to tell him. Susan was surely the only person who had that right but Abby couldn't leave him in the dark anymore- it wasn't fair. This was important for him to know. She had left Carter in the dark too many times before.

This isn't about me Carter. He blushed, bowing his head slightly and repeating an all too familiar action. The coffee was swirled as Abby sat, trying to catch his gaze.

What is it then. He smirked. It must be important if you want me to know so badly and it's not about you. Abby shook her head.

It's Susan. Carter looked up quickly, snapping his head up to face her. Abby grimaced at another familiar action. The mention of the word Susan' and every man she knew, or loved, became considerably more concerned.

What Abby? What happened? She bowed her head, angry at herself for ever being jealous, she more than anyone should understand what Susan was going through.

Carter, look I don't know how to tell you this. He placed his hands on her shoulder, urging her to tell her.

He shook her gently. If this is important I need to know.

She's been raped Carter. Abby watched as Carter's face dropped in exactly the same manner as Luka's had a few hours previously. She couldn't help but flinch with jealously as he started at become frantic, jumping immediately to his feet.

Where is she? Abby shook her head slightly, trying to fight back the tears.



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Carter tried to manage a smile as he watched Susan rush around the kitchen, making coffee. He wanted to tell her that he knew, that he was sorry, that he wanted to help her, be there for her. But he couldn't. She thought this was just a spur of the moment visit by a friend.

In reality he had spent most of the night driving past Luka's apartment, knowing full well he couldn't see her until the morning. He had never worried like that before, not over a woman anyway. Certainly not over Abby.

Her blonde hair was pulled back untidily but she looked suprising well, all things considering. Her eyes were shimmering their vivid green as she sat by him, handing him a mug. He thanked her, taking a sip of the steaming coffee.

Looking around the apartment, his mind began to wonder. If only she had been here, if only Luka had been with her, if only he'd been with her...

He looked up as Luka came from the bedroom, his eyes widening as he spotted Carter. Still slightly suprised he smiled and half-mumbled a greeting of some kind. He watched as Luka eyed him suspiciously, then catching Susan's eye he narrowed his eyebrows- trying to get the answer from her. She nodded, blushing slightly and staring down into her coffee. Carter sighed, leaning back into the sofa.

So, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit? Susan sat back also, making herself more comfortable.

Oh you know, I was just passing and I thought guess who I haven't seen in a while' and it was you so I thought I had better stop and say hi. Susan eyed him suspicious, looking at him with the same eyes Luka had made at him earlier.

Carter, this is Luka's apartment. He smiled.

I know that Susan, Abby told me you were here.

Oh, right. From behind them Carter could hear Luka going back into the bedroom. A few seconds later he reappeared- fully dressed and clutching a cup of coffee.

I'm going to work. Carter watched as Susan tensed and he winced. He wanted to help her so badly, tell her it was okay, that he would stay, that he would look after her.

Luka walked towards Susan and she stood, letting him gently pull her into a hug. He leaned towards her ear whispering something so quietly Carter couldn't hear. She nodded, whispering a quiet okay.' Luka pulled away from her slightly, but only to allow himself to kiss her tenderly on the lips. Squeezing her tightly once more he pulled away. I'll be back at 2. How long are you staying Carter?

Um... I don't know... as long as it takes for Susan to kick me out? She smirked, the first time he had seen her smile today. Luka's face remained serious. He nodded.

I'll see you later. He kissed Susan again, giving her many second glances as he headed towards the door. Good bye Carter. Luka waved, as did John.

He waited until the door slammed before looking back at Susan. He studied her pretty features once again, an action very familiar to him when in her presence. He had always been drawn to her, ever since he was a med. student, but now, looking at her beautiful face and softly drawn features he cringed. Her face was swollen and bruised but so far he had offered him no explanation for her injuries. Trying not to imagine what she had been through, trying not to imagine the kind of man who could do that to her. He felt the anger rising up, drawing itself closer to the surface every few seconds.

She looked at him, staring into his huge puppy dog brown eyes and sighing. Susan once again took a seat, letting herself fall softly into the cushion. She bowed her head, avoiding his questioning stare, trying to pretend that none of this was happening.

You know don't you.

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The shift had been the longest of Luka's life yet he had only worked for a few hours of it. He had to be strong- for Susan, but it was just so hard. Explaining to Kerry what had happened, answering all the nurse's questions about where Doctor Lewis' was. All he wanted to do was scream and shout and go and get that loser and show him what it's like to feel small, weak and afraid.

Taking a seat at a nearby bench he leaned forwards, placing his head in his hands. This day couldn't get much worse. But at least he had her, she was safe and she was still with him. She hadn't shut him out nor ignored him, she had let him in. Sometimes she still amazed him.

He felt a warm hand on his arm and looked up to see Kerry's face, frowning slightly at him. Her arm moved to his back, rubbing it slightly.

Are you okay honey? He shook his head, rubbing his face with his hands.

I know I should be. It wasn't me that was He paused, unable to say the word. I'm trying Kerry, trying so hard to help her, to be strong but sometimes it's just makes me sick, the thought of someone, anyone, doing that to her. Someone doing that to her and me not being able to stop them. I left him with her Kerry, I walked out the door and I left her with him... Luka broke down, the tears falling thick and fast. He hadn't cried for so long, he couldn't recall the last time he had cried.

Kerry hugged him gently, rubbing his back every now and again, trying to soothe him, trying to tell him that she was there for him.

Go home, Luka. Kerry sighed. She needs you more than we do.

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Abby paced around her apartment again, wondering how Carter was getting on with Susan. She cursed aloud as she felt the jealously well up inside of her. She was so embarrassed by the way she felt. Susan didn't ask to be raped Abby... The thought made her shudder and hate herself even more.

The tequila bottle standing on the counter opposite her looked so inviting. She shook off the temptation, concentrating on Luka. She missed him, she wanted him here, with her. Not with Susan. She tried to tell herself once again that he didn't want her but she couldn't, she couldn't face finally admitting he didn't love her.

Then there was Carter. Good, dependable Carter. She didn't love him, she knew she didn't love him. But last night, when she had seen him so upset and so sad and so angry over Susan being attacked her stomach had somersaulted.

Finally, there was Susan. Susan her friend, the only female friend Abby had really ever had. There was Joyce but she was more a patient than a friend. Susan had been there for her. She'd listened to endless hours of Abby gabbling on about Carter, she'd offered Abby a place to stay after she had been attacked and she had offered Abby support when she had found out about the drinking. Yet still Abby couldn't help but be jealous of her. She had everything that Abby wanted. Luka loved her like he had never loved Abby and Carter ran around after her like a love sick puppy... and Abby just couldn't stand it.

She wandered towards the counter, placing a hand of the cold surface. Her fingers ran gently over the soft curves of the bottle. It was so easy, so simple. There were no complications and it would destroy every memory of Brian in an instant.