Chapter 17

The Truth and Possibilities

Taking in the fact that Ruthie hadn't come home wasn't that hard to believe. He knew exactly what she had done. She had run away. She did it once before when the triplets were born. She didn't like that she wouldn't be the baby anymore. Carol had said Paige had come home when she was supposed to. The real question in his mind was why? If anything he would think Ruthie would be happy. Lucy was with them and they were steadily getting away from the tragedy of Bella's death.

"Kerry, I know we're not off until 4 but I kind of have another family crisis and Lucy wants to help," Carter said setting his chart back in the proper place. It wasn't just that Lucy wanted to help. It was the fact that it was a necessity for her to be there in times like these because of the relationship the two had developed. But he didn't need to have Dr. Weaver know that. Kerry didn't look too pleased but she nodded. "Do you think you could keep a look out for Ruthie? I don't know if she'd come to the hospital to look for me."

"Of course. Hurry and go find her," Kerry said, shooing him and Lucy out the door.

"Where do you think she went?" Lucy asked her face white.

"It's Ruthie. She could be anywhere," Carter said trying to concentrate on getting home and not where he might find Ruthie.

"Do you think she just got confused and went home instead of to Carol's?" Lucy asked.

"No. Carol called the school and she's already at the house. And if I know Carol she wouldn't worry me until she knew she had done everything in her power. But I think I might know where Ruthie is," Carter said.

"Where?"

"Well last time she ran away she went to the park. Since she's only done it once I'm assuming that's where'd she'd go this time around."

He thought hard. Why would Ruthie run away? Maybe it was all just a big misunderstanding like Lucy had said. But then again what if it wasn't? What if she had been kidnapped or worse? He couldn't bear to think anymore as they rolled up into the driveway.

30 MINUTES LATER

"Whatcha' doin?"

"Filling out charts," Abby muttered distractedly.

"Hm. Why doesn't Davey do it? He's standing right there?"

"Davey doesn't do it because he doesn't have the kind !" Abby yelped jumping to her feet and grabbing the little girl tightly. Dr. Weaver had just told them a little under an hour ago that Ruthie had gone missing and to keep a look out for her.

"Doesn't have the kind of what?" Ruthie asked impatiently pushing her feet against Abby's waist so she'd put her down.

"Chunni look who I found," Abby said as Chunni came around the corner with a patients chart.

"Ruthie! Where have you been? Everybody's worried about you!" Chunni lightly scolded as she scooped the little girl into her arms.

"I was looking for Daddy," she said.

"How come you didn't go with Amanda and Jaime to Carol's house?" Dave asked taking his turn with her.

"Manda and I got in a fight," she said.

"About what?" Chunni asked.

"She has a crush on my boyfriend!" Ruthie exclaimed.

"On Dave?" Abby asked, confused. Ruthie had approached her a few weeks ago and told her she was having trouble with her boyfriend which she later found out was no other then the drama king of the world, David Malucci.

"No Abby!" Ruthie sighed exasperated. "I already told you! I don't like Dave anymore because he told me he was already in love with you!"

Everyone was quiet. Dave went back to the admit desk totally embarrassed. Abby followed him.

"Chunni was it something I said?" Ruthie asked innocently.

"No honey. Why don't we call your daddy and tell him everything's okay," Chunni grabbed Ruthie's hand and headed to the phone.

30 MINUTES EARLIER

"I'm really sorry John. I wish I could have done more," Carol said quietly. She was a wreck.

"Mommy, I know why Ruthie ran away," Amanda said her face guilt ridden.

"Why honey?" she asked.

"Because we got into a fight," she answered simply. "She has a crush on my boyfriend."

"Do you know where she is Mandy?" Lucy asked.

She nodded.

"She told me she was going to go the hospital after school to see Daddy and Abby," Amanda stumbled over her words not knowing if Carol was upset or not.

"I'll call over and see if they've seen her," Carol said going into the kitchen, Lucy behind her.

"Don't worry Dad. You know how Ruthie gets," Paige said. "But you do know this is a cry for help."

"What do you mean?" he asked. Amanda and Jaime stood at Carter's feet looking up at Paige expectantly.

"Why don't you guys go watch TV," Paige suggested. The two kindergarteners nodded their heads obediently and headed into the living room where Damian was with Julia and Adrian.

"You know what I mean Dad. The only reason Ruthie would pull something like this is if she's not getting her point through. That's the reason she ran away when the babies were born. And she was only two. Imagine what she's capable of now at five."

"Chunni said nobody's seen her," Carol said coming back into the entrance hall with Lucy.

"We're going to go look for her then. Will you stay home until I get back?" Carter asked Carol. She nodded her head.

"Come on Paige. Come on Luce. We have a run away to find."

PRESENTLY

"Thank goodness your alright you crazy kid," Paige hugged her sister tightly. Chunni had brought Ruthie back to the house after calling Carol and telling her that she was alright.

"Thanks for bringing her Chunni," Carter said. Carol had called off the search when she had gotten the call that Ruthie was alright.

"Anytime. Well I better get back to the hospital. Kerry's giving you's two the night off," she said referring to John and Lucy.

"Thank her for me would you?" Carter asked. Chunni nodded and gave Ruthie a hug.

"Don't run away anymore got it Ruthabee?" she asked.

"Got it," she said.

"We better get going too," Carol said. "Doug and I have an OB appointment this evening. It seems like I'm gaining more weight then I should."

"Have fun," Carter joked. "Thanks for everything Carol."

"No problem. I gave Gabe some baby aspirin about an hour ago so he's out like a light upstairs," she said making sure Damian and the twins were getting ready. "Just think Carter. If all this happened to you on your first day back just think of the possibilities in the days to come."

"That's real assuring Carol," he said opening the door for her. "See you tomorrow."

"Alright bye John."

He closed the door and sighed. Carol was right. Hopefully he'd have a slow week after everything that had happened today. Now it was time to deal with Ruthie. He found her in the living room with Lucy and the babies. He sighed. He was happy that his little girl was safe but now it was time for them to talk.

"Ruthie," he said popping his head into the room. "We need to talk."

COUNTY

Dave had gone to hide in the lounge. He didn't want Abby to find out. Most of the crushes he had were just quick puppy love that didn't last more then a couple of weeks. But after having feelings for Abby for over a month now he thought that maybe it wasn't the case. Maybe he really did have something serious for her. But she was in love with Luka. Well at least that's what they were leading people to believe. He always had just the tiniest faint of hope inside of him that it was all just for looks and it wouldn't last any longer then it already had.

"Dave?" Abby whispered coming into the lounge and shutting the door behind her.

'Crap' Dave thought. 'She found me'. Abby had asked Haleh to keep an eye out for her so nobody would bother them.

"What's up Abby?" he asked already knowing for damn sure what was up.

"Is it true?" she asked seating herself next to him on the sofa.

"Is what true?" he asked playing dumb.

"What Ruthie said? About you being in love with me. Is it true?"

He fought the urge to look up into her eyes but it was too late. He had trouble reading them but once he had his eyes fixed on hers there was no turning back. It was time to tell her the truth once and for all.