Abby smiled. It was good to see them both and good to see them both settled, not exactly happy but content at least. Her doubts about visiting them had faded her first day there. Yes, she was glad she had come, not only because she needed the break, but she had felt ready to
re-connect.

Her Mother had been over the moon of course when she told her she was coming and even though it was awkward at first, Eric seemed pleased to see her too. They had enjoyed their week together and now she was leaving. She reached out to Eric to hug him and he responded by pulling her off the ground in a bear hug.

"We'll see you at Christmas?" Maggie asked tentively
"Maybe Mom, It depends on my shifts" she replied as Eric released her.
Maggie tried to hide her disappointment and smiled bravely.
Seeing her face Abby added
"I'll do my best to to get time off Mom, I promise". She embraced her mother.

Abby picked up her bag smiled.
"Well I have to go they're calling my flight"

They said there final goodbyes and Abby walked
away towards the departure gate. She was going to miss them.
"Bye Doctor Lockhart" she heard Eric shout.

She turned to look at them, smiled and waved and then she was gone.

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Carter sat in the ambulance bay waiting for the stab victim who was due to arrive any minute. He put his head in his hands and tried to clear his head. He was exhausted.

"Hey Carter" Susan shouted as she walked towards him. 6 weeks maternity leave was not enough and she couldn't believe she was back in the ER so soon and on at 7am.
Carter looked up and smiled.
"Miss me? She said as she approached "What, no welcoming committee?" She joked.
He smiled as she sat down beside him.
"You just missed them" he replied.
"God I can't believe I'm back! she said as she unwound her scarf from her neck "So how you doing Carter?
"I'm good" he replied staring at the floor. "How's motherhood suiting you?" Just then the ambulance pulled up and Carter pulled on his gloves. Two nurses joined him as he opened the ambulance doors and and paramedics started reeling off his vitals.

"14 year old male stabbing victim BP 140 over 80....

Susan watched him from the bench. Carter looked terrible "Well catch up later ok?", she called out as he dashes past.

He doesn't respond.

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"Time of death 12.15pm" Abby sighed and signed the chart

"Hey" Luka called from the open doorway. . "He didn't make it?
Abby shook her head "Seems Bill here spent one too many nights being drunk and disorderly"
"You're back, how was your trip?" he asked as they left the trauma room.
"It was good"
"Good" Luka smiled softly then hesitated "Have you seen Carter since you've been
back?
"No why?"
"He's not so good, I'm worried about him"
"Well he lost his family Luka" she said drawing to a halt to drop her gloves in a bin
"Yeah I know, but I just thought maybe you could talk to him. I've tried and at first he opened up, seemed to be getting better but now, I don't know"
Abby looked at him. It was strange to see him concerned about John, but I guess
they were friends now.

"I'll talk to him ok?
Luka nodded and started to walk back towards the trauma rooms. He paused and turned

"It's good to see you Abby"

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