Chapter 25: Baby, Talk Is Cheap


Susan whispered quietly, trying to discover if Luka was awake. He groaned slightly and she giggled, prodding him with the sole of her foot. He groaned once more as she unwrapped his arms from around her waist and turned to face him. He opened one eye lazily and smiled, kissing her softly on the lips. She smiled, kissing him back.

I'm sorry I left you yesterday. She shook her head, wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him closer to her.

It's okay, Carter was here. Luka said nothing for a while, staring at her intensely.

I should have been here, not Carter. He paused, brushing a strand of stray hair away from her face. But today I am going no where. He grinned kissing her once more.

I thought you had to work. He shook his head.

I spoke to Kerry. He watched as her face dropped and she pulled away slightly, letting a small distance arise between them.

You told her. Luka continued to stare into her large green eyes, nodding slightly as he tried to pull her warm body once again close to his own.

She resisted, instead pulling herself further away and eventually sitting p, wrapping a sheet around her naked body.

She needed to know Susan. He paused, reaching out to gently touch her face. I only told Kerry, no-one else.

Susan ran her hand through her hair, sighing softly as she sunk back down into a lying position on the bed, moving herself once again closer to Luka.

I know. I'm sorry. She reached her hand under the covers, entwining her fingers with his. Thank you. She smiled. I don't think I could have managed it. Not yet.

It's okay. She kissed her forehead compassionately, giving her hand a slight squeeze also. The best part is, we get to spend the next week in bed. Susan giggled, letting Luka roll over on top of her.

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Carter bolted upright, breathing heavily. He wiped the sweat of his face, shocked by the warmth of his forehead. H had no idea what was wrong with him but he hadn't exactly had a good nights sleep. It had been interrupted, full of nightmares. The worst part was it wasn't him he was imagining. It was Susan.

Over and over again the same sequence of events had gone through his mind. Mostly the dream was a blur but he remembered some of it. There she was, saying good bye, insisting she would be fine as she walked home alone. It was dark and he wanted to walk her but she insisted, the next thing he knew she was in the ER. Helpless.

He didn't know what was wrong with himself. She was okay. He had seen her himself, yes she was hurt and probably the most scared she'd ever been in her life but she was okay. Luka was there, he was there. She wasn't going to get hurt again. Yet he couldn't help thinking he should have been there for her that night. The events hadn't really happened like his dream. You heard her Carter, she told you what had happened. It wasn't on a cold, dark street, it wasn't with a stranger. It was in her home with someone she knew well. Somehow, that made it worse.

He wanted to see her again, check she was okay. He knew she was, Luka had the week off, as did Susan, and Carter knew perfectly well that he wouldn't let her out of his sight for more than a second.

His heart rate had slowed and he had stopped sweating but he still couldn't help but worry. He wondered once again what these feeling were. Yes, one of his best friends had been raped, he was supposed to be upset for her, but surely he shouldn't be this panicky? He glanced at the clock, letting out a small yelp as he saw the time. He was going to be late, maybe he should be this panicky...

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Abby waved slightly at Carter as he walked towards her but a sour look remained on his face. She winced, praying he hadn't spoken to Luka about the previous night. Her actions had been so incredibly stupid that she winced just thinking about them, she couldn't bare it if Carter knew too. She didn't want him as a boyfriend, or even just a lover, but she wanted him as a friend.

She watched as he walked into the lounge, not looking back at her she noticed. That was the first time Carter had done that, not looked back. He always did it, trying to make out like he wasn't looking back at her, but really he was always just trying to get that final glimpse, that final look at her face. She loved it. Maybe it was because it showed he cared, maybe she just loved the attention. Abby hadn't got a clue but she sure knew one thing, he hadn't looked back this time.

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The silence was golden. She had always loved the silence of people. It was the best thing people ever said- nothing. They lay side by side, not whispering a sound. Yet it was like they had just had the best conversation ever. There wasn't an awkward tension, or an uncomfortable feeling. There was love and warmth, and understanding.

Understanding. Thank god there was understanding. Thank god he understood. He understood that she just needed to lie for a moment. Without talk, talk is cheap after all. She had tried forgetting but it didn't work. The only thing that soothed her, that calmed her aching pains was him. Moving on, with him. He was everything, more than everything.

She could feel his warm kiss on her forehead and for a moment was tempted to speak. However she resisted the urge, instead simply smiling back at him. He smiled also, mirroring her happiness, understanding exactly what she needed.

Suddenly the phone rang interrupting the silence. They stared at each other for a while, grinning like cheshire cats, too happy, too content the way they were right now to move. Eventually Luka gave in, rolling over to answer. Susan smiled again, remembering how much he hated listening to the ring of a phone.

Why are you ringing. Susan turned to look at Luka, startled by his aggregated but hushed voice. She outstretched an arm, catching his arm softly with her fingertips. He was still talking into the phone, apparently unaware of her touch.

His voice was getting louder. Ask Carter. He slammed down the phone, turning back to Susan and trying to force a smile.

She didn't move, keeping her face plastered with a solemn expression. She needed to know what was wrong. There were two names running around in her head. Kerry and Abby. She was desperately hoping that it wasn't the latter at this point. As much as she loved Abby, she really didn't need her problems and sulky whinging right now.

Who was it? Luka shook his head, leaning forward to kiss her once more.

She looked at him, about to ask more as he spoke again. I'm going in the shower. She smiled.

Susan watched as Luka make his way towards the shower, his head lowered. She shivered, realising she was naked she pulled the covers over her, still concerned about the phone call. Suddenly having an idea she picked up the phone, pressing the button for the last caller. Damn. she cursed as she heard the hospital number spoken into her ear, that didn't exactly help matters.

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