AN: Okay, sorry about the lack of Carby, hopefully this chapter is a little better in that respect.

Drawn Uncontrollably To You

Chapter 6

November 2004

'So want to invite your family down for Thanksgiving?' Ben asked Abby 'It's my turn to have the kids for the holiday and we'd love for your family to join us'

'I... well...I...um...I usually work Thanksgiving, but I could come by for dinner. I don't really think you want to meet my family though, it's complicated'

'That's okay I mean I'm used to stress and tension'

'That's not what I meant. It's very complicated'

She suddenly wished she had told him more about her family before today. All he knew was that her parents had divorced when she was a child and that was only because she was trying to reassure Ethan and India. Who had had some issues regarding their parents divorce and their mother's recent marriage to their stepfather.

'So what's so complicated?' he asked 'Don't you get on?'

'No that's not it although they have their moments, more than most people actually'

She looked at him wondering how he would take it and how to tell him gently how it was.

'They're sick' she finally admitted

'Dying?'

'No, they're not that kind of sick'

'They?'

'My mother and brother'

'What's wrong with them?' He could for the life of him imagine what it was.

'They're bi polar' off his confused look she added 'Manic depressive'

'Both of them?' he asked surprised

'My Mother's been bi polar as long as I can remember, probably since she was a teenager. Eric, my brother was diagnosed, a couple of years back. He's still trying to get his life together'

'Oh' Ben didn't know what to say, so he added 'The offer still stands'

'Thank you but no'

They lapsed into silence, each thinking about what it meant to have a family like Abby's. For Ben it was unimaginable for Abby it was the only thing she had ever known. It was normal.

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'I can't believe she's cutting teeth already' Abby said to Susan as they sat in a cafe at a shopping mall.

'Tell me about it, I wake up in the morning and feel just as tired as before I went to bed'

'She's so cute though' Abby said

'You would disagree at two, then three, then four o'clock in the morning'

'Doesn't Chuck help?'

'Sometimes, he's not much use when it comes to breastfeeding though'

Abby smiled at Susan who did look exhausted.

'Look if it'll help I'll take care of her one night. You can drop her off at my apartment and have a romantic evening with Chuck'

'All night?' Susan asked hopefully

'Sure, you owe me one though'

'Mmmm. How's things with you?'

'As in with Ben?'

'Uh huh'

'I'm still seeing him'

'That's all you're going to tell me' Susan replied, it wasn't a question but a statement.

'There's nothing to tell. I'm going over to his place for Thanksgiving, his kids will be there'

'If you're not happy you should tell him' Susan said

'I didn't say that'

'You didn't have to'

'Look it's okay it's just not...'

Susan raised her eyebrows and shook her head as she said 'What? What isn't he?'

The words left Abby's mouth before her brain had even thought about it 'Carter, John Carter'

Susan just nodded knowingly.

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Thanksgiving

Carter met Abby as she was entering the ambulance bay. Although she was walking purposefully she wasn't really concentrating on the world around her.

'Hey' said Carter startling her out of her reverie

'Carter' she replied when she had composed herself

'Is it busy?' he asked inclining his head in the direction of the hospital.

'Usual Thanksgiving mayhem. You working all night?'

'Yeah, drew the short straw. Someone's got to do it right?'

She smiled 'No hot date with Sophie?' she teased

'No...We.....I'm not seeing her anymore. She's a great girl but a little too possessive I discovered'

'Oh, sorry'

'Don't be it's okay I didn't date her for ....'

'A long term relationship?'

'Yeah that. It's was, it is, just good to be able to date if I want to and all that. Not feeling that I have to or anything'

'Uh huh' she uttered as they stood there staring at each other.

He had almost added something along the lines of 'the girl I want to be with is dating someone else', but he held himself back.

'CARTER!' yelled Kerry 'You've been standing there long enough, get your butt in here and do some work, your shift started five minutes ago'

'On my way' he shouted back over his shoulder then to Abby said 'Got to go'

'Good luck' she said

'Thanks' he replied winking at her.

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Everyone celebrated Thanksgiving in different ways that evening. Susan and Chuck tried to share a quiet evening together but one of them had to keep getting up for Megan who wouldn't settle. In the end Chuck brought her into the room with them and sat her on his knee while they finished their meal in relative peace.

Fleur settled down to an organised meal cooked with all organic ingredients. Not having anyone she wished to share Thanksgiving with she retired early to bed with her latest medical journal.

Carter was rushed off his feet, it was one trauma after another and he did not have time to reflect on how his life was so different from the previous year. Kerry stayed until ten after that he was on his own with a couple of residents and a handful of nurses, to treat the vast amount of patients who streamed through the doors.

Abby spent the time as arranged with Ben, Ethan, India, Ben's parents and brother. Although she had fun she felt somehow an outsider here with Ben and his family. She was almost relieved when an opportunity presented itself and she was able to leave. Then she went to the sanctuary of her apartment and even though it was late called Maggie and Eric. Whilst wondering what the hell she was doing with a man she didn't love and at the same time about the man she did, who was still clearly not ready for a long term relationship.

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