Disclaimer: I do not own ER, I do not own the characters, basically, I own nothing, so please do not sue! Much obliged!
We all Cry Sometimes
Chapter 4-
"You were out late last night," Neela said, as Abby walked into the kitchen the next morning, "Did you have fun?"
Abby blushed, "Huh? Oh yeah, surprisingly."
Neela frowned, "That's all I get? No details whatsoever? Come on Abby, tell me something, anything!" Neela propped her elbows onto the kitchen counter, looking at Abby expectantly, like a little school girl anxiously awaiting to hear the details of her best friend's date.
Abby smiled, grabbed an orange from the fruit basket and simply exclaimed, "Come on, we're going to be late," and grabbed her coat before walking out the door.
Neela followed quickly behind her, "You're no fun," she exclaimed child-like. Abby just kept walking, a permanent smile pasted on her face. The two doctors arrived at the hospital, only to see a full waiting room, the other doctors of the ER were rushing about frantically, trying to see each patient as fast as they could, especially since doctor Lewis had imposed the fifteen minute waiting rule. Still, despite the chaos, Abby was unable to remove the smile from her face.
"You seem different today," Dr. John Carter commented glancing at her from the side. John was one of those people that knew her inside and out.
Abby frowned, "I do?" she said.
Carter smiled, "Yeah, you look happy. It's been a while since I've seen you like this." He replied. Abby stared at him, the feelings she had for him had never completely died when their relationship ended, and she felt bad that her situation appeared to be improving, while Carter was still heartbroken from the death of his child. Yet, she knew that they would never be together, and for the time being, she was content just to be his friend.
Just then, Ray came up behind Abby and rested his hand on the small of Abby's back, she tensed up, "What's going on docs?" he asked.
Carter did not appear to notice Ray's position, or the sudden tenseness of Abby's posture, "Nothing, I was just saying how Abby looked different today," he replied, "Alright, well, I have to go talk to Mrs. Swimmer over there, her son stuffed a brussle sprout up his nose. How he did it is still a mystery," and with that Carter walked off, leaving Abby and Ray by themselves.
Abby swung violently around to face Ray, "What the hell were you thinking! He could have seen something! Of all the immature, childish, irresponisible," Abby hissed.
"Whoa there! I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?" Ray asked bewildered.
Abby pulled him angrily into an empty examination room, "Ray, listen, I had fun last night, I needed it. But just because of one little kiss, it does not mean that we are a couple and that you can just waltz around here showing public displays of affection. And another thing! Just because I went out to dinner with you does not mean that it's going to happen ever again! I was tired, and I needed to unwind, the opportunity presented itself, so I took it. That is it!"
Ray looked at Abby bewildered, "Fine!" and he began to walk away. Right before he reached the door however, he stopped and turned around again, "Did it ever occur to you Abby Lockhart, that you are afraid? You are afraid that you might actually like me, that you actually had a good time and might actually want to do it again. But you're just too absorbed in your own life. You think I'm self absorbed? That I'm immature? Well newsflash Lockhart! I think you need to re-asses this notion of yours!" and with that Ray stormed out of the examination room.
Abby stared at the door, dumbfounded. She slumped down on the cot and placed her face in her hands. She thought that Ray might actually have been right, that she was too concerned with being miserable to even try and be happy. The fact that a young man who barely knew her at all, yet could pin point her exact weakness overwhelmed Abby, and she proceeded to cry, uncontrollably.