Disclaimer: Lyrics belong to Evanescence. Characters belong to ER writers. Story belongs to Me. End of Story.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Season 10
Authors Notes: So sorry for the major delay in updating. It's the final days of school so things have been hectic and finals are Monday and Tuesday. Thanks for the feedback! This is gunna go slow at parts and fast at others (skipping weeks, months, etc) because some of it isn't necessary to the story. And if it went day by day we'd all be here for years. Btw, sorry this is SO short, I know what's going to happen, I just don't have time to write it.
Won't Always Be There
---Saturday
"I don't want to go back to reality." He insisted, wrapping his arms tighter around her waste.
"Me either. Let's just stay like this forever." She agreed, laying her head on his chest.
"Time should stop." He whispered into her hair.
She nodded. Carter kissed the top of her head as she closed her eyes. Taking in the moment, knowing the chances of this happening ever again were slim to none. He looked around at their luggage before lifting her chin up to kiss him. He pulled away finally and looked into her eyes.
"Carter…" She started but he cut her off.
"I had a good time this week. With you. Last night was wonderful but you know, we can't…"
"I know." She pursed her lips. "And that's okay. I won't mention it." She let her mouth fall into a pout as she hugged him one last time.
"If things were different…" He closed his eyes.
"Carter it's okay. Things don't have to be different. We don't have to be different." She assured him.
"I'll always love you though Abigail Lockhart." Carter looked into her eyes, trying to convey his message.
"And I'll always love you too John Carter." She returned the look, telling him she understood what kind of love they would always share. They both knew it wasn't the love they once shared, but it would do for now.
They broke the embrace and picked up their luggage, heading to Luka's car. They shared a look as they started for home.
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would leave
Your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
---Monday"ABBY!!!!" She heard someone frantically calling her name as she waited for her flight to start boarding. She turned, looking around the airport, trying to figure out where it was coming from. The person behind the voice finally reached her. "Abby, what are you doing?"
Abby looked mockingly around. Deciding against sarcasm she replied, "Going to New York, John. What are you doing here?"
"Why?" Ignoring her question completely. He placed his hands on his knees, hunching over and trying to catch his breath.
She moved the luggage that was sitting in the seat next to her so he could sit down. Once he was sitting she answered him. "Because I think it's time for a change. I have nothing to stay here for, so I figured why not? I've always wanted to live in New York, ya know."
"No…" She looked at him. "I didn't know that." He finished and she let the breath out that she'd unknowingly been holding.
The flight attendant came over the loud speaker. "We will now be boarding for flight 365 to Flushing, New York. Thank-you." Abby stood, pulling her purse and carry-on with her. Carter watched her for a moment and then stood too.
"Abby…" She turned at the sound of his voice.
"John?" He stepped towards her.
"I'll miss you." He hugged her tightly, as if he wasn't going to let go. "Call okay?" He stepped back. "And write. Send pictures. Come for holidays." He rattled off the list of things he wanted her to do.
"I'll try." Was all she could muster. It was better off without promises. "And I'll miss you too John." Abby smiled at him, letting him know it was okay.
He nodded and watched as she handed the flight attendant her boarding pass. She looked back one last time and waved. He waved back and followed her with his eyes as she walked down the terminal and disappeared.
Abby located her seat, 20 C. Throwing her carry-on in the above compartment, she sat down. Pulling out the picture of her new apartment she sighed. Things were going to be different. Life without John. She shook her head and folded the paper back up.
"You moving?" Her head wiped around to address the man she hadn't realized was there until now.
"Yeah." Abby replied sheepishly.
"Mikael Jakobson." He extended his hand to her.
"Abby Lockhart." She took his hand. Taking in his features she smiled. His hair was a lighter colour than Carters and his eyes an extreme shade of green. "So you live in New York? Or just visiting?"
"Live there. Manhattan actually." Mikael smiled back at Abby. "You get a new job or something?"
Abby shook her head. "No, just felt like I needed to move." She laughed at herself. "Sounds kinda silly actually, now that I think about it. I might have to change my story and stop telling people that."
He laughed at her. "No I think it's good. Sometimes you need change. I understand where you're coming from."
"Good. So what were you doing in Chicago?" She continued the conversation.
"Convention. So boring, but go, I must." He softly chuckled at his own words.
"Convention? What for? I mean, if you want to tell me of course." She felt a bit sheepish for prying.
"No, of course I don't mind. I'm a doctor. Psychiatry. What about you?" Mikael asked, genuinely interested.
"Nurse. Well, at least I was before I moved here. Now I'm unemployed."
"Hey…" He reached in his pocket for his business card. "Here's the number for the hospital I work at. They're always looking for nurses." Handing over the card he added, "If you want, when you get settled, give me a call and I'll show you around a bit."
"Thanks. And I will." She turned to look out the window, not wanting him to see the huge smile on her face.
---
She pulled the card out of her jeans pocket. Unwrinkling it she walked towards the phone. Abby sat in her dining room chair as she dialed the number. "Hi! This is Abby Lockhart and I'm calling in reference to a nursing job I heard about." She told the person on the other end of the line when they picked up. "Ah, yes, I had been working at County General in Chicago for 5 years…Tomorrow at 9:30?…Okay…yes…thank you!" She smiled as she returned the phone to its receiver and went to make herself dinner.
---
"John, what colour are we making the baby's room?" Kem asked as she plopped down next to him on the sofa. Resting her head in his lap, she closed her eyes.
"I don't know." Carter was too depressed to have this conversation.
"What's wrong John?" Kem pried, sitting back up to look at him.
He shook his head, not really wanting to tell her. She pleaded with her eyes. "Abby left." He blurted it out.
"Oh." Was all she had to reply with. She thought for a moment. If this is going to work, she thought, we need to share things with each other. I have no reason to be jealous of her. "Why?" Kem continued.
"I dunno." Carter shrugged. "She said that there was nothing here for her and that she needed to move on." Inside Kem was happy, but she knew Carter was upset.
"I'm sorry. I know you two were great friends."
"She was my best friend. For 5 years." He didn't want to get into the whole dating thing and the fact that he'd loved Abby.
"I know John. I'm sure she'll call and write and visit sometimes. And I'm here for you now." Kem tried to reassure. He let his head fall back against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes, signaling to her that the conversation was over. She took the hint and laid her head back down on his lap, thinking about the years they had ahead of them.
