Sorry it's taken me a while to update.... This is short and sweet, hope you enjoy. Plenty more to come. Please read & review
Summary: Carter made a pass at Abby and Abby got mad and through him out. They have barely spoken since. Abby is at Luka's birthday party with Susan...
Luka's Party -Three hours later
"Hey there Dr Lockhart, I thought you said were going to dance with me?"
Dan smiled at her. It was late and the party was drawing to a close. Abby was leaning on the lounge door frame waiting for Susan to get their coats. She smiled up at him, Dan worked in radiology and had been hanging around her all night. She secretly had to admit she kind of liked the attention.
"Sorry I'm beat"
"Oh that's ok, next time maybe"
"Maybe"
"How about a drink instead?"
"I'm sorry I'm about to leave" she said spotting Susan heading towards them "But thanks"
"You know I'm a mean cook." He said keen to arrange a date before she disappeared.
"Oh really" Abby said grinning and taking her coat from Susan
"Maybe I can tempt you to try my Lasagne sometime?"
"Maybe" she said. She pulled on her coat "Goodnight Dan" she called behind her as she grabbed Susan by the arm and began leading her away trying to ignoring the knowing grin Susan was giving her.
"Night Abby" Dan called after her.
"He's cute" Susan laughed as soon as they were out of earshot.
Abby rolled her eyes.
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Three days later
Abby wrapped her coat around her trying to block out the cold wind. She was four hours into an eight hour shift and she had come up to the roof of the hospital to escape the madness for a few minutes. She was on her cell phone with Dan.
"Ok tomorrow night then
...ok great great,
... yes I'll see then. Bye".
She hung up her phone.
"Date?"
She turned startled by the voice. Carter was standing a few feet away cradaling a coffee in his right hand.
"Err yes actually, well kind of".
Carter grinned and nodded.
They had still not discussed what had happened at Abby's apartment. They had been civil to each other at work over last couple of weeks but had avoided each other where possible. And now in the awkwardness of the moment Abby felt uneasy, not sure what to say.
"Well I should get back" she said finally
"Abby wait" he said reaching out to stop her but then pulling his hand away deciding that touching her was probably not a good idea.
"I just want to say something" he continued
She doesn't look at him but she doesn't leave either so he continues
"I know I behaved terribly that night at you apartment. I just want you to know, it will never happen again" He paused watching her, looking for a reaction but her eyes were hidden by her fringe as she stared at the floor.
"I'm truly sorry"
She looks at him finally meeting his gaze
"Sorry for everything thats happened...and I finally took your advice" he added sheepishly.
Abby looked at him questioningly waiting for him to go on
Carter rocked back on his heels and took a deep breath "I have my third appointment with Dr Andrews at 6pm tonight".
She gave him a small smile, remembering Dr Andrews from her Phych rotation.
There was a pause between them as they both looked out over Chicago skyline unsure what else to say.
Abby broke the silence "So Dr Andrews he's the one that specializes in hopeless deadbeats with uncontrollable sexual impulses". She is smiling as she says it and touches his arm when he doesn't look at her.
"I'm kidding Carter"
He returns her smile relieved.
And for the first time in many weeks Carter feels the ice break away between them. Standing on the roof they continue to talk, they re-connect. Something that was missing has now been found. For the first time in a long time Carter feels something other than anger and frustration. He feels hope. Hope for a fresh start. And as he smiles down at her now his stomach flips over in anticipation of what will become of the two of them.