AN: Very short chapter, sorry guys. Thanks if you have reviewed.
Drawn Uncontrollably To You
Chapter 5
Two Months later
Carter stood in the ambulance bay and watched as Ben collected Abby from work. He seemed attentive and she was smiling at him so he supposed she was happy and then they shared a kiss. Carter felt a stab of jealously, to which he had no right really. He wondered if she had felt awkward when he had brought Kem back earlier this year, knowing that they had been totally engrossed with each other with public displays of affection. Then again Kem didn't know what Abby had meant to him, still meant to him. For some reason he never told her how it actually was with him and Abby. Kem and the baby seemed so long ago now but was in fact only a few short months since his life had blown up in his face.
He surprised himself suddenly realising that he had thought of Kem and his son without feeling any of the negative thoughts, which usually plagued his mind. Which he knew was a start in the right direction. He was sleeping better too, some nights he still suffered from insomnia but they were fewer and he was beginning to feel alive once more.
He had in the end gone to talk to someone who was professionally qualified in such matters and he discovered that he was slowly working through his pain and grief. Not only for his son but also for his grandmother and even believe it or not his brother, which he thought, was long dealt with.
Abby had been true to her word when she had told him he could call her anytime. At least three times he had called her when she had been with Ben and she had left him to see Carter. He still was amazed at how much she had changed in just over a year. How she was so much more positive in her outlook and he smiled to himself.
'What you smiling for?' Pratt asked joining him as they awaited the trauma patients, which were expected at any moment.
Carter smiled and answered 'Life' as the first ambulance pulled up and he moved to it and began barking instructions to the other staff gathered there.
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'So I was wondering if you would like to join us for dinner?' asked Pratt
'Us?' enquired Fleur
'Yeah well I persuaded Dr Carter and Sophie Birch from geriatrics and I thought you could make up the numbers'
'So it would be like a date?'
'Yeah'
'No'
'What d'ya mean no?' he answered stunned she had refused him
'I don't date'
Pratt studied her for a moment, lost for words, which was a rare occasion for him. The he added 'You don't date men is that it?'
'No I mean I don't date at all. If I did though I wouldn't date a fellow doctor'
'Oh so you would date me or Dr Carter if we had chosen different professions'
'No even if you both were not doctors. Firstly although I'm sure you are a very good guy you're not my type, secondly I would never date Dr Carter it's not right'
'What?' Pratt shook his head. Women were confusing at the best of times he concluded especially the one that went by the name of Fleur Buchannan, beautiful but confusing, go figure. Well he would try Gina Valetti on psych she never refused an offer of a date.
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The four of them sat at a table in a dimly lit restaurant, chatting about the only thing they all had in common, work. Carter out for the first time since his life had fallen apart in the summer was surprised that he actually was having a good time. He especially liked Sophie Birch who had joined County a year or so back, whilst he had been in Africa.
After the meal the quartet spilt up and Greg went home with Gina leaving Carter and Sophie standing on the sidewalk.
'You need a lift?' offered Carter
'No I have my car thanks anyway'
Taking the opportunity before she went off into the night he added 'Would you like to go out for dinner, say next week? Without Greg and Gina'
'Yeah' she smiled at him 'I'd like that'
As they stood there exchanging telephone numbers they were unaware of the traffic passing by. One car in particular had a very interested occupant. Who although was pleased that John Carter was beginning to live again, felt oddly bereft that he was out on what looked like a date.
'Abby' Ben called 'You okay you seem miles away?'
Abby turned her attention to Ben and replied 'Tired'.
To prove to the point she shut her eyes and wondered why she felt despair tumble down from her heart to her stomach.
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