Laced

Disclaimer: don't own anything except the OFC appearing in this chapter.

Rating: R

Spoiler: Season 10 Finale

Pairing: Luka/Abby

Summary: Luka discusses Abby's condition with Lara and her husband.

A/N: Something came to my attention with the help of a good reviewer. It seems that I sort of toyed with the show's portrayal of Luka's past, when I had said he hadn't been single since Abby had known him, so I'm going to say this is semi AU story, just to be safe. Also I'm not a doctor but will try my best to be accurate in Abby's diagnosis.

Part 5: Doctor's Orders

"Honey, I came in as soon as I heard, are you alright?" A tall blond man hurriedly sat down besides Lara.

"I'm fine Phin, I'm not the one with the IV attached to my arm, and unconscious." The curly haired woman said in a tone that suggested she wasn't the one who needed the comfort.

"How is she?" Phin asked softly, running his hand up and down his wife's back. However his attention was all on Luka who had been in the middle of explaining what happened to Abby.

When he'd gotten the call from Lara, telling him that Abby passed out and was now under examination, Phin had been sick with worry. Abby was like his little sister, part of the family. He'd canceled all his appointments for the day and rushed to the ER.

Luka studied the couple, and smiled in spite of everything. He noticed the little things, like the closeness between them, their body language, the way their eyes communicated everything they had to say. He remembered feeling that once, with his beloved wife, and never experiencing that again until Abby entered his life.

At that point Luka didn't know if it was a blessing or a curse, to be reminded of that passion and then being unable to have it, because he'd thought she wanted John. Well, it sort of worked out in the end. He'd had his precious time, but after everything they'd been through, she crawled back to John. Thinking this Luka wondered if he should subject himself to that pain again.

The pain he experienced when he realized that Abby and John were finally together, and even if they were apart right now, who knew what destiny had in store for them, perhaps he should just back out.

Except he also didn't know what destiny had in store for him, so backing out was quickly erased from his mind. He'd been the one to watch over her today, and he hoped that meant something.

"Luka, you're spacing out." Lara informed him rather loudly, and he awoke from his daydream.

"Uh, yes, where was I?" He asked, and for good measure studied Abby's chart, the one he was holding.

"You were saying something about anemia?" Lara refreshed his memory, and Phin leaned in closer to listen, worry etched on his face.

"Yes." Luka looked over the chart again, though he'd already memorized it, " I don't know what you and her were discussing but her blood pressure was very high, for which she received medication, and her iron count was low. I prescribed vitamins to correct the imbalance and my guess is the reason she collapsed was more mental than physical."
"What do you mean?" Lara asked, a trace of undeniable guilt in her voice, and suddenly she was even more thankful for Phin's presence, she'd need all the comfort and strength she could get if she would get through lying here. Again it was a situation where she had to choose between preserving Abby's confidentiality and her health.
"I think Abby suffered a mental breakdown, which with the help of her recent low nicotine intake and malnutrition, has caused her body to succumb to exhaustion. I think a few days off and balanced diet will help get her back on her feet." Luka explained, and relief washed over both Lara and Phin.
Except Lara still couldn't believe her friend was torturing herself so much. It was blatantly obvious now that for weeks Abby had been overworked, and neglected, and Lara would not stand for it.
"I knew this promotion was no good! She was complaining about headaches constantly, and the fact that she wanted to show her superiors that they'd made the right decision to appoint her as a doctor here. I just sensed that she needed a breather, it just never occurred to me that it was this serious!" Lara exclaimed, and Phin pulled her into a bear hug.
Kissing her forehead, he assured her that this was in no way her fault and she shouldn't feel guilty. But the guilt was already there, imbedded in her being and never planning on leaving.
"Lara, Phin is right, you can't blame yourself for any of this. Perhaps even Abby didn't see this coming. Besides like I said, a few days of rest and she'll be good as new." Luka comforted, trying very hard to believe his own words.
"Meanwhile, Dr. Lewis and I are going to set up a room for Abby upstairs, when she wakes up you'll be first person I call." Luka managed a half smile, trying to shed some light on the somber circumstance.
Phin nodded an appreciative thank you over the top of his wife's curly head, as she leaned into his shoulder. Luka felt like he was intruding on a private moment, but Lara remained slightly paranoid.
"But what if you're off duty when she wakes up?" She asked worried, her blue eyes illuminated with unshed tears.
"Then I'll leave a note with Jerry, over there." Luka pointed at the secretary to clarify, " To notify you as soon as Abby wakes up."
Seeing that he covered every single base, Luka stood up and wiped his sweaty palms against his pants before shaking hands with Phin and assuring Lara that everything would be fine.
"We still have a few tests to run until we come up with a definite conclusion, but I promise you'll be the first person I call. By the way don't expect anything to happen tonight, we put a sleeping pill into her IV, and she may only wake up tomorrow morning."
"Why would you do that? She was already knocked out!" Lara exclaimed, her entire body twitched with worry.
"Honey, calm down we don't need another mental breakdown, do we?" Phin intercepted before Luka could answer.
He did eventually though, "We did it because she needs to regain strength, and she isn't able to do that on her own. A sleeping pill is what the doctor prescribed, no pun intended." Luka smiled, even though inside he couldn't wait to go upstairs and see her, making sure she was safe.
The first smile the entire meeting met Lara's face, and Phin squeezed her shoulders lovingly, "Thank you Dr. Kovac, I think we'll be heading out now." He said with a hint of suggestion.
"No, let me see her first." Lara said softly, "Please." Her blue eyes shined and Luka couldn't say no.
"Give us a few minutes to settle her in and I'll have Jerry escort you up." Luka complied.
Lara smiled again but it didn't reach her eyes, "Thank you Luka."
"Now you know I don't mind, Abby is a good friend." Then he nodded a goodbye and walked off.
Lara remained deep in thought, finally realizing that Abby had been wrong all along, the way he said 'good friend' made her almost positive that Luka returned Abby's feelings all the way…
TBC…