Bad Karma

Carby. Something happens to Abby. How does it affect her life and her relationship with Carter? Read on to find out!

A.N.: I'm not the original author of this story. The original author is carby luva 313. She's decided she doesn't have enough time to write, so she's giving me the honour of finishing it for her. I hope I can do as good a job!

Disclaimer: I do not own ER. It belongs to Michael Crichton and the other members of the production team

Chapter 22: Decisions

Abby's first week back at work had gone by without incident. She had everyone's support in facing her fears and nightmares. She was feeling better and more like herself by the day. It was almost as if the entire fiasco had never happened.

Abby was drying her hair in the bathroom when she heard a knock on the door. Before she even had time to answer, Carter made his way inside. She saw him smiling, reflected in the mirror. Abby turned off the hair dryer and faced him. He took a step towards her and they embraced. Carter had the day off, but Abby's shift stared at two. Carter was going to drive her to work and go shopping.

"Are you almost ready?" He asked.

"Yup, I just need to change into my scrubs." Abby said, making her way past Carter to the closet.

"Alright, I'll wait for you downstairs." Carter decided.

Abby smiled and gave him one last peck on the cheek before continuing her search for her scrubs. Carter left the room and hopped down the stairs. Abby fished her clothes out of the back of the closet and got dressed in a heartbeat. When she was done, Abby quickly pulled her hair back into a loose pony tail and ran down the stairs. Carter was leaning against the wall at the bottom of the stairs. He looked up and smiled when he heard her hurried footsteps.

"Do you want some breakfast before you go?" Carter asked as he caught her running down the steps.

"No, I don't have time." Abby said hurriedly.

"Okay, just eat something before your shift, or have some coffee in the least." Carter suggested.

"I promise." Abby said.

They got their shoes on and stepped out the door. Carter opened Abby's door for her and closed it as she got into the car. He hurried around to his side and got behind the wheel. Abby was fidgeting impatiently. There was something she desperately wanted to talk to Susan and Elizabeth about. Hopefully she would make her decision by the end of the day, so she wouldn't have to wait another few months. Carter pulled up in front of the hospital and Abby leaned over to kiss him.

"I love you, see you later." She said, hopping out of the car.

"I love you, too. I'll pick you up at six." Carter said as she closed the door in his face.

He watched as Abby jogged up to the ambulance bay doors and disappeared inside.

Abby got inside and darted into the lounge before anyone had a chance to say hi to her. Luckily, Susan was already in there. Abby walked over to her locker and dropped her things in while pulling her stethoscope out. When she was done she grabbed a cup of coffee and dropped into a chair facing Susan. Susan had been watching her the whole time, finally spoke.

"A good morning would have been nice." She laughed.

"Sorry, I was just in a hurry." Abby said while trying to catch her breath.

"Don't worry about it." Susan said.

"There's actually something I wanted to talk to you about before my shift started. That's why I hurried, so I could catch you before you left." Abby said.

"I might be here for a while. I don't want to leave the lounge, in case Kerry sees me and wants me to stay. Pratt called in sick, so she needs someone to cover." Susan explained.

"I hope she doesn't call John." Abby said.

"I don't think she will. She respects him, enough to let him take a while off." Susan reasoned.

"You're probably right." Abby said.

"So what was it you wanted to talk about?" Susan asked, in between sips of coffee.

"Well, ever since I got out of the hospital, I've been thinking about how much of a difference the doctors here made to me. I was thinking about maybe going back to med school." Abby blurted out.

"What? That's great! You can be a great doctor! I say you should go for it." Susan exclaimed.

Abby was about to answer when Luka stepped into the lounge.

"What should who go for?" Luka asked confusedly.

"I was thinking of going back to med school." Abby repeated.

"Wow, that's wonderful. I think it's a great idea." Luka said.

"Well, that's two people. I was still thinking of working a few extra nursing shifts, just to make some extra money." Abby contemplated.

"As long as you don't exhaut yourself. You've been through so much, it would be good if you took it easy, but if you really believe you can do it, then you should." Luka said.

Susan nodded in agreement, just as Luka's pager went off.

"Sorry, I have to go. See you later, and good luck with that!" He said before stepping out of the lounge.

Abby smiled at him as he left, then turned back to Susan.

"Hmm. Dr.Lockhart. I like how it sounds." Susan mused.

"I do too." Abby laughed.

"Alright, I hope you decide to go back, but I have to get out of here. Rumor is, Kerry goes on coffe break around now. See you tomorrow. Call me and tell me when you decide!" Susan said as she left the lounge.

Abby smiled and stood up. She decided to start her shift a few minutes early, so she could escape to see Elizabeth for a while later. Abby concluded that it would be a good idea to get Elizabeth's opinion on the matter. After all, she was one of Abby's best friends. She had helped her so much over the past few months. Abby was snapped out of her reverie when Chuny called to her.

"Hey Abby, we put your name in the triage draw." Chuny stated.

"Wait, don't tell me." Abby said unenthusiastically.

"Sorry girl. Have fun!" Chuny laughed and disappeared.

"Why is it that I always get triage? I demand another draw! I mean come on, that's like statistically impossible!" Abby exclaimed.

"Bad karma. You really must have done something horrible, and now God is on your case." Frank said.

"Shut up Frank." Abby snapped as she headed off toward triage.

On the way, she ran into Lily. Abby decided to try her luck.

"Lily, wait up!" Abby said, running up to her.

"Hey Abby, what do you need?" Lily asked.

"I was wondering if you could cover triage for a while around noon so I can run over to docs to meet someone." Abby asked.

"Sure thing. Just find me when you need me." Lily smiled.

"Thanks, you're a lifesaver!" Abby said gratefully.

Lily gave her one last smile before leaving. Abby turned around and resumed walking toward triage. She quickened her pace when she saw Kerry yelling about there not being a triage nurse. Abby snuck in behind her and sat in her chair, picking up a clean chart and tending to the first patient. Kerry turned around.

"Abby! You're late!" She shouted.

"Sorry, Dr.Weaver. I got here on time, but Chuny just told me that I was on triage a minute ago." Abby said.

"It's alright, just try to clear some of this quickly. We could all use a break." Kerry said and left to call in her next patient.

Abby sat and triaged patients untill she couldn't take it anymore. She looked at her watch. It was only eleven thirty. At least another half an hour untill she could take her break. All these patients were extremely boring. There was nothing that really required immediate medical attention. People just over react too easily. The seconds ticked by as Abby filled out chart after chart. After what seemed like a week, twelve o'clock had finally come. Abby called Lily over to watch triage as she went to find

Abby stood in the elevator, heading up to the surgical floor. Hopefully, she wouldn't run into anyone else on her way. She wasn't in the mood for questions concerning her health at the moment. As Abby rounded a corner, she waited for Shirley to turn around before sneaking across the hall to Elizabeth's office. Abby knocked and waited for Elizabeth to give her assent. After hearing the shout, Abby turned the doorknob and stepped into the office. It was elegantly decorated. Elizabeth smiled up at her from behind a teetering pile of paperwork and motioned for her to sit down.

"Hello Elizabeth." Abby greeted.

"Hello Abby, how are you?" Elizabeth inquired.

"I'm fine, thanks. How about you?" Abby returned.

"I've been better. It will be easier to breath once I get out of under this ridiculous pile of paperwork. Besides that, I'm peachy." Elizabeth smiled.

"In that case, do you want to go to Doc's for some coffee? Get away from this for a while." Abby asked.

"Great. Just let me get my purse." Elizabeth said gratefully.

A few minutes later the two women were on their way out of the hospital. They headed out of the ambulance bay and across the street to the diner. Once they got there, they ordered two coffees and sat down. Neither of them noticed Dr.Dorset sitting in a booth near them. He looked up at the familiar voices and called out to them.

"Elizabeth, Abby! Come over here and sit down." He suggested.

The two women turned around when they heard the voice. They grabbed their things and sat across from Eddie. The waitress walked over with their coffees and they gave her the money.

"Hello Dr.Dorset." Abby said.

Elizabeth nodded to acknowledge him.

"What brings you girls here?" He asked.

"Probably the same thing as you. Boredom and paperwork." Elizabeth laughed.

"Just one of the many pains that comes with working in a hospital. I always wanted to go into business. I'd have a secretary to do all my paperwork, bring me coffee, shine my shoes..." He listed.

"Dream on." Abby smiled.

"How's it going besides that?" He asked.

"Spiffing. Actually, I want to get both of your opinions on something." Abby said.

"Sure, what is it?" Elizabeth asked in between sips of coffee.

"I was thinking about going back to med school, but I also wanted to keep up on some of my nursing shifts. I know it probably seems like too much for me to handle right now, but I've decided I really want this, and I'll work as hard as possible to get it done. What do you think?" Abby inquired.

"It doesn't matter what we think. As long as you think you can handle it, and promise not to over exert yourself, I think you should go back to med school." Dr.Dorset said.

"I agree. If it's something you really want to do, then we won't stop you." Elizabeth smiled.

"Thanks you guys. It's just that, when I was in the hospital, all of the doctors were so much more helpful than the nurses. Even though nurses get more personal time with people, it's the doctors input that makes all the difference. They are the ones people fall back on when push comes to shove." Abby elaborated.

"If that's how you feel, then I know you'll make a great doctor." Elizabeth smiled.

"As long as you keep in mind to help the patients, and be there for them as not just a doctor, but a friend." Edward said.

"I'll remember. Sorry, I have to get back to work. Thanks for helping me make my decision. Now all I have to do is tell Carter, then talk to Kerry, Robert, and Anspaugh. With that arranged, I'll be back to work as a doctor in no time. See you later!" Abby said excitedly.

The surgeons smiled as she left the diner. Abby had a real burning passion to make a difference, and she would surely change peoples lives in the very near future. She had everything it took to be a doctor, a messenger, and a friend. Whether someone needed one of those, or all of them, Abby would be successful in fulfilling each role with compassion and caring.

Abby got back to the hospital but decided to call Carter before going back to work. Then she'd have to set up a meeting with Weaver, Romano, and Anspaugh. She ducked into the lounge and picked up the phone. Abby dialed the familiar number and waited for Carter to pick up.

"Hello." Millicent Carter picked up.

"Hello Mrs.Carter, can I please talk to John?" Abby asked.

"Oh, hello dear. Sure, just let me get him." Millicent said warmly.

A few minutes later, Carter picked up the phone.

"Hey Abby." He laughed.

"What's so funny, cowboy?" She asked.

"Nothing, Trudy is just looking daggers at me, I'm dripping bath water all over the freshly mopped floor." Carter explained.

"That's nice." Abby said sarcastically.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?" John inquired.

"I've been thinking about it for a while now, and I've decided I want to go back to med school. Along with that, I'm going to keep some of my nursing shifts, though." Abby said exasperatedly.

"If you're really sure about it, then I'm behind you every step of the way. Did you talk to one of the surgeons about the workload?" Carter asked.

"Actually, I talked to both Elizabeth and Dr.Dorset during my lunch break. They said they agree, as long as I don't over exert myself." Abby admitted.

"Then you're all set. I'll call the university for you, all you have to do is talk to the administrators. Do you want to start next week, for the new term?" John queried.

"Yes, that would be great." Abby said.

"Alright, I'll take care of it. Good luck with administration. Oh, and one more thing." Carter said.

"Sure, what is it?" Abby asked.

"Why did you decide to go back." Carter asked curiously.

"Nursing is old news. I need something that gives me a chance to do more for my patient. I want to be able to save lives, help in every way I can. I can be a doctor, a mentor, and even a friend this way. People will come to me in their time of dire need, hand me a knife and say doctor, cut me open. I love the feeling of doing everything I can." Abby explained.

"Wow. Good reason." Carter said admiringly.

"I know, isn't it? Anyway, I have to go. I got Lily to cover triage for me untill my break was over." Abby said.

"You lost the lottery again? The odds are like three billion to one." Carter laughed.

"I know, that's what I said! Anyway, I have to go. I love you so much, and I'll see you at six." Abby said.

"I love you too! I'll take care of the school for you! Bye!" Carter said before hanging up.

Abby put the phone back on the hook. She couldn't believe that Carter agreed to her going back to school! He didn't agree when she wanted to before, what changed his mind? Oh well, she didn't care. She was just happy. Abby got up and headed off to triage with a new sense of herself.

At three o'clock, Abby was relieved of her triage duties by Yosh. Thankfully, Chuny hadn't put her name in the draw again. Otherwise, it would undoubtedly have been her untill six o'clock. Abby took a chair in front of a computer at the admit desk. She decided to play a game against the nurses at Northwestern. There would be no more time for it once she was a med student again. Best to enjoy these little perks now. Kerry crutched over to the desk and began to wipe a patient's name off the board. Abby walked over to her.

"Dr.Weaver, can I talk to you for a moment?" Abby asked.

"Sure, come into the lounge." Kerry suggested.

When they got into the lounge, Abby sat down as Kerry got herself a cup of coffee. When she finished and sat down, Abby spoke.

"I've decided I want to go back to med school. Can you find some time for a meeting, preferably today, so I can start next week. I don't want to wait untill the next term." Abby said.

"Sure, I'll arrange it with Drs. Romano and Anspaugh. Meet us in my office at five thirty." Kerry smiled.

"Thank you, Dr.Weaver." Abby said politely.

"Sure thing." Kerry answered.

"I'm going to get back to work. See you later." Abby said.

"Bye." Dr.Weaver responded.

Abby got up and left the lounge, feeling more excited by the second. The only downside to being back in school was the exams. Oh well, she'd pull through somehow. Abby was never good at the academic stuff, but she had a wonderful group of friends to help her out now, and for that, she was truly thankful.

The rest of Abby's shift went smoothly. Only a few minor patients left on the board. One waiting to be taken up to surgery. Chairs seemed to have mysteriously cleared out, and there were no incoming traumas. It was quiet in the ER, which was a rare occasion. Everyone made themselves scarce, in fear of having Kerry find them something to do. Abby played internet war games against Northwestern untill it was time for her meeting with the administration personnel.

She knocked on Dr.Weaver's door punctually at five thirty. When she walked in, the other doctors were already situated in the room. Kerry had Abby's human resources documents at hand and Dr.Anspaugh was looking through a faxed copy of the school's official acceptance documents. Abby sat in a chair opposite the three doctors.

"Welcome, Abby." Kerry said warmly.

"Good afternoon." Dr.Anspaugh greeted.

"Hello again." Dr.Romano smiled.

"Hello." Abby said.

"So, you've decided to go back to med school. That's wonderful." Dr.Romano exclaimed.

"Tell us, why do you want to go back?" Dr.Anspaugh asked.

"I've decided there is just so much more I can do for my patients as a doctor. It's a more exciting job, so many decisions to be made. If I can hold someone's life in my hands, it just seems all that much more worthwhile." Abby said concisely.

"Good, and are you planning on holding a few nursing shifts a week while you go to med school. It would make it easier for the other nurses." Dr.Anspaugh exlplained.

"Yes, actually." Abby replied.

"Are you sure you are in stable enough health to take on that much more responsibility?" Dr.Anspaugh questioned.

"If I may answer that. There is no reason that I see that would prevent miss Lockhart from performing her duties fully and competently." Dr.Romano pointed out.

"Do you agree, Abby?" Dr.Weaver asked.

"Yes, I do." Abby nodded.

"Okay, great. I think that's it. Your first shift as a med student is on Monday at eight. Dr.Weaver will give you a new nursing schedule for the upcoming weeks." Dr.Anspaugh finalized.

"Great! Thank you. See you tomorrow!" Abby said.

With that, Abby was out the door. Her shift ended in five minutes, so she decided to get her belongings and wait for John outside. A few minutes later, she walked out into the ambulance bay. Carter was already parked across the street, waiting for her. He smiled as she got into the car.

"How'd it go?" Carter asked.

"Excellent! I start on Monday!" Abby rejoiced.

"That's wonderful!" Carter exclaimed, embracing her.

"I know, it just feels so right to do this. It seems so much more worthwhile." Abby said.

"It will be, if you want it to, and we'll be behind you every step of the way." Carter replied.

The car ride home was mostly silent. Abby was smiling to herself, and Carter was glad she finally found something she really wanted. It was within her reach, all she had to do was take it, and she would. Carter decided they needed to celebrate.

"How about we go out to dinner to celebrate?" He asked.

"That, or how about we stay home and watch some movie, cuddled up on the couch. I just want to relax at home with you while I still can. As a med student, I won't have much time anymore." Abby pointed out.

"Sounds great. Just remember, the time to relax is when you don't have time for it." Carter said philosophically.

"Okay, I won't even start with listing all the ways in which that can't work." Abby laughed.

"Your choice." Carter shrugged.

When they got home, Abby and Carter popped some popcorn and filled their glasses with pepsi before curling up on the couch to watch Breakfast At Tiffany's. After the movie was over, they moved over to sit in front of the fireplace on a big squishy armchair. The warm light was soothing, and Abby found herself drifting off to sleep in Carter's arms. He smiled at her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

That night, the two lovebirds slept in front of the fire. By the time they woke up the next morning it would have dwindled down to nothing but glowing coals in the cool morning air. They were both happier than they had been in a long time. Abby's life finally had meaning and purpose. Carter was proud of Abby. They dreamt sweet dreams untill the morning sun would peek in through the windows and they would be roused from their sleep by the functions of the other residents at the Carter mansion.

A.N.: I know it's shorter than usual, but there's not much to write about making a decision. I hope you liked it, I promise to post more soon! Thank you to all of my loyal readers and reviewers. I know you want to review, so just go on, click the button... Good reader! Thanks for the support, and the next chapter will be up ASAP! Love my readers! –Julia-