Chapter 5

Coffee anyone?

Dr. John Carter has just gotten a chance to take a break for he has been working for five hours now. He walks into the lounge to grab his coat when he is sees Dr. Lockhart. She comes walking in to use the phone to see if anyone besides her can locate a missing for the moment. It isn't really unlikely to misplace a chart, because almost every intern does when they start. Abby doesn't think it should happen to her though because she has been working there as a nurse for five years now and she is always making sure charts are placed where they should be.

"Ugh!" she sighs. John turns around to see her brushing her hair back taking a deep breath.

"Everything okay Abby?" he asks.

"Yeah well losing a chart is not something I am likely to do so... not really." she responds.

"Well I'm heading over to the Jumbo Mart to grab some coffee. Do you want to join me over there?" he asks. His voice literally breaks out when he asked the question because John and Abby haven't gone to get coffee since they broke up a year ago. She hesitates to respond.

"Um... yeah, sure why not?" she tells him. "Let me go ask Ray if he can cover me."

"Alright just meet me over there" he says. Abby smiles at him and walks out of the lounge. Dr. Carter puts his coat on and walks out. He sees Susan yanking a curtain close and smiles at her.

"Oh hey John" she says as she gives him a half smile.

"Hey Susan, you look busy."

"Yeah some guy with a broken hand, just waiting on x-rays."

"Cool, well I'm on my way to get coffee, want me to bring you back some?"

"Yeah, that would be great... white chocolate mocha, no whip and could you ask them to make it iced?" she asks.

"Can do!"

"Gosh, thanks John. I could really use it." she says desperately.

"Ok well I'll be back soon. If it gets to busy or a trauma comes in page me I guess."

"Trust me, I will" she laughs as he starts to walk away.

Coffee Break

Outside it is cold and bitter. Just as John is walking and reaches the other side of the building the lady paramedic yells. "Hey Doc! Got one for you." John stands there and hesitates whether or not to tell them he's on his way out. As they can see he is, but they usually do not care when someone's life is at risk. Neither does John he is always making sure that if he is needed he will be there on the spot. He sighs and starts to walk over to them. Just as he approaches them the lady paramedic starts to call out what they have.

"26 year old male was hit by a car while trying to cross the street. We got there just in time, he's close to respitory failure he needs to be operated on as quick as possible! BP is 100/70 Pulse Ox, 64." Just as John begins to grab the gurney Dr. Ray Barnett comes racing out.

"Hey Doc, aren't you on a break?" he asks.

"Yeah... was." John responds aggravated.

"Well it's cool; I got this one, get out of here before anyone spots you." Ray said.

"Alright thanks Barnett." he shouts as he starts to walk away.

John reaches the Jumbo Mart breathing into his hands. It is very cold outside. It always is in January. So he takes his gloves off and goes to order some coffee. As he steps all the way inside he sees Abby sitting at one of the tables.

"Ha, beat ya." she says laughing.

"Yeah sorry, Couldn't get out of there, what's worse is I almost got stuck in a trauma." Abby cringes as she sips on her coffee.

"Be right back" he says as he walks up to the lady running the register. It was nice having a mini Starbucks store inside. It wasn't the same as Doc Magoo's John thought, but it works.

"Hi, can I get a tall double shot white chocolate Mocha with ice, no whip. I also need a tall dark coffee."

"Sure," the lady responds taking a pen and marking the cups. "Six fifty seven." John hands her the money and starts to walk over to Abby.

"So Abby your internship is going good?" he asks.

"Good, I guess." she says slightly smiling.

"You guess?" he asks wondering.

"Yeah well, I guess it wasn't what I expected. It's like everything is a mess right now and I barely have anytime to do anything... anymore." John stares at her for a moment and as he begins to respond the lady shouts out his order.

"Tall white chocolate Mocha and Tall coffee!"

"That's me" he says smiling at her.

"Have a nice day Doctor." she says handing him the cups and some napkins. It was always nice being recognized as a Doctor he thought. You get respected more because you're a miracle worker. John just smirked and walked over to Abby.

"It'll get better Abby; I remember my first day as a Surgical Intern. Benton was all over my ass" he says laughing. "But you know what, It was worth it because I wouldn't be what I am today if it wasn't for all that hard work and discipline" he added.

"Yeah... you're right John. Thank you." She smiles as they both sip their coffee. "Well it's probably time to get back, God knows what Ray is diagnosing my patients with" she laughs.

"Alright, I'll walk with you. He says.

As they start to walk out the door Abby shivers.

"Gosh! It's just so cold out here..."

"Yeah well Chicago isn't perfect. Hotter then Hell in the summer and Colder then shit in the winter" he says walking. Abby laughs at his remark and walks with him smiling the whole way. Abby always felt secure when she was around Carter. He always had a way of making her laugh. That's mainly the reason we were together. He always helped me with my problems, but now of course my problems don't match up at all to his she thought.

As they enter the double doors Abby pats him on the back.

"Well back to my patients" she says walking away.

"Hey Abby... thank you for being a great friend." He adds as he starts to walk past the admit desk he sees Susan showing her patient the x-rays.

"Hey Susan... Here's your-" He pauses in great fear as she turns to look at him.

"Carter?" she asks worried. It's him... not only him, but those eyes... eyes of evil. John backs up as tries to take a deep breath. The coffee's spill and so does he.