16 HOURS EARLIER

"Hey Abby you off?" Susan approached Abby in the lounge. Both were tired and depressed, it had been a long hard day.
"Yeah, thank god.
"Want to go out with some of the nurses, they are going for a drink.
Abby knew she shouldn't, she hadn't had a drink in about six months. But she could always order something virgin, so she decided to go.
It had been a really hard day, 20 trauma's in 4 hours. Most died, because of a gang war the had gotten out of hand. Most of the people who were actually hurt were just innocent bystanders. They were mostly the only ones who died too.
Abby couldn't forget one person brought into the ER, she was 5 years old. The whole time she remained completely calm and trusting. She thanked every one and was considerate and sweet. She died quickly though. Abby couldn't help but think about that one trauma, that life cut short. She was only 5, she didn't deserve to die.
"You all ready?" Chuny, Luka, Haleh, and Carter were standing by the entrance to the ambulance bay when Susan and Abby walked out. They had decided to go to a tiki bar near by. Abby had been there before with some of the ER staff.

------------------------------

"You're drinking?" Came a voice from behind her. Abby turned around, there was Carter.
"Yeah."
Carter looked at Abby, obviously disapproving.

"You are drinking too."
"Well I am not an alcoholic."
"Well you are fast becoming one." Abby raised her voice, not really meaning to. She had lost control, she was taking all the anger from what had happened that day out on him.
"What's that supposed to mean." Carter voice was rising to.
"I haven't seen you completely sober in over a week. Even when we are at work."
Carter smirked and chugged back some more beer.
"You see that," Abby shouted. "You are such a hypocrite."
"Well at least I have a reason to drink."
"Yea, so did I!
"Not as much as me."
"So suddenly it's okay for you to drink and do everything you told me not too, because your life is harder?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She couldn't believe she was getting this from him.
Carter turned around and started walking away, towards the men's bathrooms and the phones. Abby ran up behind him.
"You see, this is so hypocritical too. You used to always yell at me for walking away, well look at what you are doing!"

Carter whirled on her. She was caught by surprise, he looked murderous. He backed her into the corner. And then, he started crying. Sobbing into Abby shoulder, she was surprised, but she knew why. Life had been hard for him lately. Kem was gone, his baby dead. She knew how he must feel. Not completely, but she had had her share of problems, she knew why he was drinking. She sudden;y felt amazingly sorry.
"I am sorry Carter, I know, I know why you are doing this."

Carter looked at her, no longer mad.
"I am sorry I shouted at you Carter, you are going through a hard time.
"I am sorry too Abby. I am a hypocrite. I know why you did it now. I understand why you drank, you just couldn't help it, you just couldn't stop.
Abby looked Carter in the eye, her hand resting on his cheek. Sudden;y they were kissing, she tried to stop, but she didn't want to. She was to drunk and gone to care. She was kissing Carter finally for the first time in, well too long to remember.

"I wonder where they went." Luka asked, looking around the bar.
"I think they headed towards the bathrooms, probably both are hurling." Chuny said.
"Wanna check?" Susan asked.
"Well I will check on Abby, make sure she is okay.
Chuny got up off the stool and headed back towards the bathrooms, she walked past the phones and looked into the woman's bathroom, no sign of Abby. She walked out again, and was heading towards the men's when she say them. They were making out in a corner by the phones near the men's bathroom. Chuny quickly turned around and left.
"They are fine.
"Where are they?"
"Making out near the men's bathroom.
Everyone laughed.

"I - I - I need to work tomorrow," Abby managed to stutter.
"Then lets go, I'll call a cab."

"Ok," Abby said, not caring anymore, she wanted anything to be with Carter. She hadn't in so long.
They walked out side, not even looking at the bar, where all their friends were sitting, staring at them in shock.