AN: Thank you again for taking the time to review. I think there might be a couple of words in this chapter which I do not know the American equivalent for, if so I apologise.
Drawn Uncontrollably To You
Chapter 22
November 2006.
Carter walked up to the desk and flipped through the charts before glancing over to the jam packed board.
'Still pretty busy' commented Frank
'Mmm' Carter said in response 'Who's handing over?'
'Pratt, but he's in trauma one with the resident from hell' Frank continued.
Carter moved and looked through the door to trauma one where Yosh, Wendy, Pratt, Fleur and Abby worked on a patient. From what he could see it was not going well. The he walked back over to Frank.
'Why did you call my wife the resident from hell?' Carter enquired.
Frank was about to say 'the bitch is not to be argued with' but stopped himself just in time, as he didn't fancy going home to his wife and explaining a black eye. Instead he said 'She's grumpy, snappy you name it, must be PMS'
'Possibly' Cater replied thinking that she had been a bit short tempered the last few days, but he couldn't recall if it could possibly be PMS or not.
When at last they all filed out the trauma room Carter could tell by the look on their faces that they had lost their patient. Wendy and Yosh were immediately called elsewhere. Pratt walked up to him to hand over. Fleur and Abby as far as he could tell went to fill out some paper work on the other side of the desk.
After Pratt had finished informing him all that he needed to know for his night shift ahead Carter turned and looked round for Abby.
'Where did Abby go?' he asked no one in particular.
'Try the lounge' suggested Frank.
Carter sighed and stepped round the desk and walked into the lounge and there she was, extracting her coat and personal belongings from her locker.
'Hey' he said as he reached her.
'Hi' she replied giving him a half smile.
'You okay?' he asked concerned.
'You've been speaking to Frank' she said knowingly 'What did he say?'
Carter just look at her and raised his eyebrows, shaking his head as he did so.
So Abby continued 'That I was the bitch from hell'
'He didn't quite put it that way'
'That's what he implied?' she asked already knowing the answer.
Carter nodded and said 'So?'
'It's been a rough shift. I just need to crash out, shame you're working'
'You could stay here' he said joking.
'I don't think so' she replied and they shared a quick but meaningful hug.
'I need to get back out there' he told her as he turned to go.
'See you tomorrow ' she said and turned back to collect her things from her locker.
Outside the lounge he walked back to the desk where Fleur was just leaving.
'Dr Carter' she said acknowledging him.
'Fleur' said Carter 'You know, you don't have to call me Dr Carter, John or Carter is fine'
'John Carter' she said hesitantly not sure which to use.
'Not together, one or the other, either is okay. You've been here what two years?'
'Nearly two and a half'
'Well it's about time don't you think? You working tonight?'
'Yes' she said walking round the other side of the desk 'Maybe I'll catch you later'
'Carter' said Yosh
'What?'
'Can you take a look at this patient' he asked handing Carter the chart.
Carter scanned it over and said 'Where is he?'
'Exam one'
'Let's go'
o0o
Abby arrived home, flicked through her mail which was sitting on the kitchen counter before heading upstairs to prepare a hot relaxing bath. Feeling better she pottered back down to the kitchen to fix some food, before taking it back with her to the bedroom to eat dinner and watch TV in bed.
She woke to the sound of voices and at first couldn't understand why. But then realised that she must have fallen asleep with the television on. Sitting up quickly she blanched as a wave of nausea hit her and she dashed to the bathroom just in time. Some minutes later she crawled back into bed and thought about calling in sick but decided against it. Instead she headed back into the bathroom to take a shower. That done she stood in front of the sink brushing her teeth and rummaging through the cabinet for a new deodorant, when her eyes fastened on the box of tampons there on the shelf. She forgot about her search for the deodorant as she hastily dressed and rushed to the convenience store. She knew she was going to be late but she just had to know.
The downstairs bathroom was nearer so she went in there. Used the test and waited and smiled to herself, quickly putting it back into the box. In her haste leaving it on the side of the sink as she hurried off to work.
'It's eight ten, you're late' Carter said as she raced in and he in his street clothes was ready to depart. 'Can't blame me this time?' he said teasing her.
She grunted an unintelligible reply as she entered the lounge and everyone at the desk looked at each other.
'You're all going to have fun today then' Carter said sarcastically to them as they all agreed.
'Maybe you should take her back home with you' suggested Pratt
'Sorry no can do. I'm going home to sleep before I have to return for my night shift later'
'You're working another one?' asked Jing-Mei
'Tonight's my last, for a while anyway. I haven't seen Abby properly for a couple of weeks' he added.
Carter glanced at the lounge door and then saw Weaver walking down the corridor from the direction of the elevator, he made a split decision not to talk to Abby now but wait until later and he walked off in the direction of the exit.
'I think he's got the better deal' said Pratt as Abby emerged from the lounge 'Hey Abby' he called
Abby came up to the desk and said 'Yeah'
'Here' said Pratt handing her a large selection of charts 'You're late' he explained 'You need to catch up'
She in return glared at him as she walked off. Weaver approached the desk just after, asking the remaining staff why they were not working when the ER was so obviously busy. While wondering to herself if this was the reason all the new chief of emergency medicine doctors who had been appointed never lasted longer than a few months.
o0o
7.45 that evening.
Carter entered the ER that night and after popping into the lounge walked up to the desk and stood opposite Abby who was completing some paperwork.
'Abby' he said gaining her attention.
She looked up and smiled before returning a greeting 'Hi'
'Why didn't you tell me this morning?' he asked her.
'What?' she replied
'You know what. What you left by the sink. Is that why you were late?'
'Oh' she said realising what he was talking about 'That'
'Were you planning on telling me?' he asked irritated.
'Of course I was. I was late and you were leaving. I was waiting for the right moment'
'You could have taken me aside and said something, it would have only taken a minute' he told her his voice raised.
'I'm sorry okay. Why are you so mad anyway? I thought you'd be happy?'
'I am happy'
'Well it doesn't seem like it, you're yelling at me'
'You're yelling too'
'Only because you are' Abby stopped suddenly aware that they were not alone. She looked around at all the staff and patients staring at them.
Carter followed her gaze and said 'Let's talk about this in the lounge'
Abby walked round the desk and Carter took her elbow and led her into the lounge where they walked to the far end so that they could have as much privacy as possible.
They stood by the window a couple of feet apart. Abby with her arms wrapped around her body, Carter with his hands shoved deep inside his pants pockets.
'Look' she said being the calmer of the two. 'I'm sorry I didn't mention it this morning. It was mainly because I was late for work but also because I couldn't believe it was positive. To be honest I should have realised, I know as well as anyone in the medical profession the early symptoms, but until I got sick this morning it didn't even occur to me'
'You got sick?' he asked stepping forward and closing the gap. He took one hand out of his pocket, raised it as if to reach out to her, but instead dropped it back to his side.
Abby nodded 'I know I've been snappy, difficult to work, live with , but I didn't take the time to analyse why. I think also I'm waiting for the whole thing to sink in. I still feel in shock' she said smiling at him.
He laid a hand on her shoulder and said 'I'm sorry I yelled. You're right it's a bit of a shock, a good shock though, don't you think?' he said aware that he had over reacted.
She met his gaze and nodded 'It's what we both wanted'
'It is' he replied pulling her into his arms where they stayed for several minutes before a multi trauma rolled in and they both were needed.
o0o
Five weeks later and eleven weeks pregnant, Abby was going insane, she decided from the comfort of the sofa where Carter had insisted she sit, since the moment she had gotten home. She understood his reasons why, but it was driving her mad. He wouldn't let her do anything, apart from working her shifts.
Suddenly the telephone rang and she picked up the handset eager for something to do.
'Hi' she said
'Abby, its' Eric. I just wanted you to know Miranda had the baby. I'm a Dad'
'Congratulations' said Abby this time meaning it from the bottom of her heart. 'So what is it?'
'A baby'
Deciding Eric must be sleep deprived already she asked 'Aren't you going to tell me whether I have a niece or nephew?'
'Oh yeah a niece, we're gonna call her Lacey Erica'
'And they'll both good?'
'Yeah everything's great Abby'
They spoke for a few more minutes, before ending the call.
After putting the handset down Abby knew she was going to have to have this out with Carter. There was no way she could spend another six months sitting on the sofa being cosseted.
'What are you doing in here?' Carter asked as Abby came into the kitchen
'Helping'
'No I've got this'
'I want to help. I've sat down, now I need to do something'
He looked at her, his expression terse 'You can do something, you can go and sit down'
'I've had enough of sitting down John' He continued to regard her with the same expression on his face. So she added 'I know you're scared, probably not for the same reasons I am, but there's no need to wrap me in cotton wool'
'You think I'm being over protective?' he asked as his cheek twitched from the tension in his body.
'Yes' She said and reached over to touch his arm 'But I understand why'
'What do you think you understand?'
'That you're scared, scared you'll lose this baby too. But what happened with Kem is unlikely to happen again'
'You could still have a miscarriage' he said his tone flat.
'Don't you think I don't know that? Do you really think I would do anything I considered reckless or stupid?'
He looked her in the eye for long moments before answering 'No'
'I love you but this, this is driving me nuts'
'I don't think you fully appreciated my concerns' he told her before walking out of the room.
She followed him out into the hall where he was putting his coat on, 'Where are you going?' she asked
'For a walk. I need to think. Alone' he replied curtly
'What about the dinner you've cooked?' she asked
'Eat what you want. I'll eat later' he responded picking up his keys and opening the door. 'Ill try not to wake you when I get in' and then he was gone.
Abby sighed and leant back against the now closed front door, he had reacted as she feared he would and she worried that she had pushed him too far.
o0o