Title: Bitter Enemies

Chapter: 8


Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: None.

Disclaimer: ER or anything associated with it does not belong to me.

Wow! I love everyone's reviews. Thanks for taking the time, it really does help. I appreciate those of you who have given me ideas.....I plan on using them. Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up. I contemplated how to move this story forward. This chapter doesn't move along too quickly, but it does cover some issues that needed to be covered. The next chapter, however will move the story forward more.

Also, I wanted to try something different this time, so this chapter is in Ray's point of view. I know this is a different format than what I have been writing in. So be sure and let me know if you like the change, or not.

Authors Notes at the end.

Ok. I have really done it this time. The only problem is, I don't know enough about what is going on to know what I have done. Sound confusing? Well, that is how I feel.

Confused.

So after the little scene in the ambulance bay after work, I went home and called Abby immediately. No one answered. I pleaded with her answering machine for her to call me back. I knew she wouldn't comply. So I waited an hour and called back. This time someone answered, only it wasn't Abby. I knew I couldn't get that lucky. Neela explained to me that Abby was asleep. At 8 o'clock at night? I mean I know I kept her up quite a bit last night, but come on. But of course, Neela held strong and wouldn't let me talk to her, so I gave up. I went to bed, lonely, and hoped that tomorrow would be a brighter day.

Boy, was I wrong.

As soon as I got to work today I headed straight to the front desk. I knew what had to be done.

I think.

"Frank, have you seen Abby?"

"Not on today."

"What?"

"It's her day off. Do you need me to spell it out for you?"

Well that was definitely not part of my plans. I had this whole thing worked out in my head. A nice long talk. Us working things out. Me telling her that I am sorry and she accepting the apology. Then we go back to her place and really make up. Sounds good, doesn't it?

But, her not being at work today has really created a problem for my fairy tale with the hot sexy ending.

So, instead I get to work. I'll have to come up with a new plan later. So I grab a chart and head off in search of my first patient. Of course I don't get very far as I turn around at the sound of someone calling my name. I spot Susan waving her arms at me and smiling. That is never a good sign. I don't remember her ever being that happy to see me. I'm sure she needs a favor again. Best to run the other direction.

"Ray!"

Too late.

Susan catches up and flashes a charming smile. "I'm glad I found you, come take a break and get coffee with me."

"Susan, I just got here. I don't get a break yet."

"I'm your boss Ray, if I say you get a break, then you get a break. Come on."

She takes the chart out of my hands and tosses it back on the desk. At this point I have no choice but to follow her across the street to the mini mart for coffee. We find two stools at the counter and sit down.

"Ok, Susan, what do you want." I know she isn't having coffee with me to become friends and better the work environment. Susan always has a hidden agenda.

She sips her coffee and then finally looks up at me.

"I'm gonna level with you Ray. I need an honest answer."

She looks so serious so I just nod my head.

"What is going on with you and Abby?"

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding and start to laugh. "Are you kidding me? You brought me over here for that? I thought I was getting fired or something."

"Ray, I'm serious. What happened in the basement the other day?"

I just stare at her.

"Come one. I'm Abby's best friend. She would want me to know!"

I shake me head at her, not believing we are having this conversation. "If you are Abby's best friend, then why don't you ask her?"

Susan sighs and decides to level with me. "You obviously don't know Abby very well. She doesn't open up to people. At all. Getting her to talk about her personal life is like pulling teeth. She is the most stubborn person I know."

I can't help but smile at this. Susan really wants to know, and I am the only one that will tell, so she thinks. I could really use this to my advantage. I think we will play a little game. I'll tell her what I know, and she tells me what I don't know, and what Abby refuses to tell me. This day may turn out better than I thought.

"Ok, Susan, I'll level with you under one condition."

She nods her head, eager for me to fill her in.

"You tell me all about this thing with Abby and Dr. Carter."

She considers this for a moment. The suspense must be killing her though, because she nods her head again quickly.

"Alright, but I get to ask the first question. What happened in the basement."

"Well, to start out with, nothing more than a kiss happened in the basement."

"But Sam said she found you in your boxers!"

"Uh huh, but not so fast, it's my turn to ask the next question here."

She sighs and nods her head again.

"Tell me about Abby and Carter's history."

"It's complicated, and rather lengthy."

"Give me the condensed version." I urge her on.

"Ok, well it all started years ago when Abby and Luka were together."

I can't help but smile at this. The thought of them together makes me laugh. I guess I just can't see it. He really is too tall for her.

"Are you listening or daydreaming?" Susan asks, bringing me back to the task at hand.

"Sorry."

"So anyway, Abby and Carter started to get close. As friends, I mean. They could talk to each other about anything and everything. They loved hanging out together."

"Susan, the condensed version." I remind her. I can tell that she has told this story before and rather likes having this inside knowledge of their relationship.

"Right." She nods and continues on, "Well finally Abby and Luka broke up, which was good because they never really connected. A short time passed and Abby and Carter got together. But their relationship was intense. It was different from her and Luka's relationship in that they did connect. A little too much I think. Things just got so complicated, and they almost got engaged."

"Almost?"

"Again, it gets complicated. Let's just say that it ends with Carter heading off to Africa and breaking up with Abby in a letter."

"A letter?"

"Definitely not one of Carter's smarter moves. I personally could kill him for that one. Anyway, the next time Abby sees him, he comes home from Africa with his pregnant girlfriend."

"Wow." I knew they had a history, but I didn't realize it was this extensive. No wonder she didn't want Dr. Carter to see us, which is also what is still weighing on my mind.

"Susan, one last question." I don't think I want to know the answer, but I have to ask.

"Not so fast. I gave you way more information than you gave me." Susan raises her eyebrows at me and I know I've got to give her some details or she won't answer my last question.

"Fine. If you really want to know, we played truth or dare and Abby dared me to take my clothes off. Nothing more, we shared a kiss and then Sam came down and found us. And that is all that happened in the basement."

I shrug my shoulders at her and I think I see a look of disappointment in her eyes. Was she hoping for more than that? Of course she was, but I'm not going to spill everything right now until I get all the information out of here that I need. Two can play this little game.

"Susan there is just one thing that I need to know. Does Abby still have feelings for Dr. Carter?"

Susan looks up at me and I can't judge the look in her eyes. She contemplates this question for a while, a little too long in my opinion.

"No." The answer is short and firm.

"No? Are you sure?"

Susan shakes her head yes and sighs. "I mean of course she still cares about him. With all the history that they share, but as far as romantic feelings. No. Abby is strong and happy now, she moved on. That I am sure of."

I find myself smiling at this. The sex with Abby was good, really good.... but there is so much more to her that I want to get to know. She intrigues me. I'm so glad that I had this conversation with Susan, she has helped me more than she knows. So to thank her for this information, I give her the what she really wants. Information.

"Susan, thanks for the chat and the coffee, but I really need to get back to work." I stand up and head towards the door. Then I turn back to look at her with a mischevious grin on my face.

"By the way, after the basement incident we went back to her place and had really hot sex, three times." I give her a wink and slip out the door leaving her sitting there with her mouth wide open.

Please......push the little button, let me know what you think.