Chapter 3 Triple Header
Abby let herself into her apartment. She put the remnants of her dinner with Carter into the refrigerator, then headed for bed. As she lay on her side of the bed she looked at the empty side, Carter's side. 'I love you' he had said. Those words seemed to roll so easily off his lips, yet to this point she had been unable to return them. Did she love him? To be honest with herself, yes, she did. But to admit it out loud made her vulnerable. When the time was right, she promised herself, she would say those words. And she would mean them with all her heart.
Carter wrapped up his shift. He was exhausted. He had managed to avoid Weaver for the rest of the evening. She had been detained upstairs, doing what he didn't know but he really didn't care either. It had kept her from piling scut work on top of him. He signed over what patients he had and went over the board with Luka. He headed into the lounge and grabbed his belongings out of his locker. He was ready to get out of there, go home, and climb into bed. There was nothing else that he wanted other than to curl up next to Abby and sleep for the next 12 hours.
Weaver came walking into the lounge. She didn't' t look very happy. Carter didn't want to know what was bothering her. He just wanted to go home.
"Carter." Kerry barked.
"I'm off Kerry." He said looking at her, "I've put in my 2 shift and now I am going home."
"Actually Dr. Chen just called in sick. I need you to cover her shift." She said looking at him.
What could Carter say. He had told her that he would cover the hours that he was going to be missing when he took Abby to Switzerland. "Isn't there anyone else that can come in?" Carter pleaded.
"Nope. You're the one who's here so you get the luck of the draw John." She said walking out.
"Kerry you can't be serious. That means I am going to be stuck here for another 12 hours. And I have shift tomorrow on top of it." He said.
"You're the one who said that you would make up for taking another week off John." She said as she started to walk out of the room.
"All right Kerry. I'll let Luka know that I am here, but I can tell you this I am sleeping until I am needed." He said.
"Fine Carter." Kerry said storming out of the room.
Just his luck. He was going to have to stay now and not get to go home. He decided that he would wait and call Abby in the morning. There was no need to wake her up at this hour. He was sure that she would be sleeping. Chen had better be on her death bed he thought to himself as he closed his locker and headed back out to the admit area.
"Hey Luka," Carter said.
"Yeah Carter." He said.
"Looks like I am going to be here all night again. I'll be in the lounge sleeping, if you need me. " John said walking down the hall, "this is going to be one hell of a long shift."
Luka just stared at John as he headed down the hall. Carter could care less. He was tired, grumpy and all he wanted to do was go to sleep.
Abby was tossing and turning. Without opening her eyes she knew Carter wasn't home yet. She looked at the clock, it was almost 2A.M., where was he? She closed her eyes again, tried to sleep. After lying there for a few more minutes, she realized she wouldn't be able to sleep until she knew he was ok. Abby hoped that Carter just had to stay late at the ER, but she just had to check. She grabbed the phone, and called the ER.
"ER, may I help you?" The bored sounding voice on the other end of the phone said.
"Randi, its Abby. Is Carter still there?" Abby said.
Ya, Abby, he's still here,"Randi said. "He's sleeping, did you want me to wake him up?"
"No, that's ok. I was just worried, he was late getting home." Abby said, feeling relieved.
"Chen called in sick, so he ended up having to stay," Randi said. "And he was none too happy."
"I can just imagine," Abby chuckled. "When he wakes up, let him know I called."
"Will do," Randi replied. "Good Night."
"Good Night, Randi," Abby said then hung up the phone. She tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't. After an hour, she decided to get up. She had to work at 7 and since she wasn't getting any rest being home alone, Abby figured she might as well just go in now.
Abby took Carter's jeep into work, since 3 A.M. wasn't the best time to be on the EL. It was quiet when she came in. Abby didn't see Carter anywhere.
"Good Morning Randi," Abby said, as she took off her coat. "Where's Carter?"
"Still asleep in the lounge." Randi said.
"Thanks," Abby said, heading for the lounge. "You'll know where I'll be."
Abby slipped quietly into the lounge. Carter was asleep on the couch. Abby eased herself onto the couch with him, and fell asleep instantly.
Carter awoke to the sound of someone calling his name. He opened his eyes to see Lydia standing there next to him.
"Dr. Carter we have multiple MVA's coming in Dr. Kovac is going to need your help." She said quietly.
Carter noticed that Abby was curled up next to him the best that she could. Carter slipped off the couch trying not to wake her up. "What time is it Lydia?" Carter asked.
"It's about six, Dr. Carter." She said to him, "Abby's been in here I think since about two or three am." She said as she slipped out the door.
Carter leaned down pulled the blanket around Abby. He wondered what had brought her down here before her shift so early. He kissed her forehead gently and headed out into the ER to get back to work.
Abby heard the noise of the day shift arriving. Guess it was time to get up and get to work. Carter wasn't in the lounge anymore. He must already be hard at it, she thought. Abby ran a quick brush through her hair, then headed out to face the ER. As she looked into Trauma One it seemed Carter could use some help. Abby went into the room, ready to assist.
Carter was having a difficult time stabilizing his trauma patient. She was bleeding out somewhere and he couldn't find it. He looked up to see Abby come in. Another set of hands would be appreciated right now. He was putting in a chest tube. He needed to get the lungs re-expanded so that the patient could breath again. "Abby get me the sonosite." He said. "Push another five of epi and hang another unit of 0-"
He wanted to get the patient as stable as he could and then get her upstairs to get the bleeding stopped. "Where's Corday. I need a surgeon now." He barked.
Abby quickly followed Carter's instructions. After she pushed the epi and hung the blood, she grabbed the sonosite. Running the sensor over the patient's abdomen she noticed something. ''Dr. Carter'' she said, ''you need to look at this.''
Carter leaned over and looked at the sonosite screen. He was not seeing what he wanted to see, but he was getting the answer to why he couldn't stabilize his patient. "Get Corday down here now. Her spleen is shredded and she's approximately 30 weeks." Carter said. "She's also showing signs of placental abruption. Right now that's the least of our worries. Keep your fingers crossed that it will stop bleeding on it's own. Prep to take her upstairs, even if Corday doesn't get down here in the next three minutes, she has to go up." Carter turned, and headed out the door, "Pratt you can go upstairs and make sure she gets there." It was turning into one of those days. Not the way that he wanted his day to turn out. There was something about having to stay and cover a shift. Once it started to go downhill it never seemed to stop.
Abby looked toward Carter as he left the room. He looked so tired. She hoped the rest of his day would go better. Abby knew these long hours could really get to him. She would help Pratt take the patient up to surgery, and then she would try to find Carter for a few quiet minutes.
Carter walked into the lounge. He wanted five minutes to himself. He needed to clear his head, or at least try to clear his head. He glanced up at the clock as he poured a cup of coffee from the pot. He grimaced as he took a sip. One of the doctors had made it cause it was stronger than strong. Two more hours, that was all he needed to stay. Then he could go home and curl up and catch up on some sleep. He could remember the days when shifts like this never bothered him and he didn't mind covering for people. But his age was catching up with him. He was no longer the bright eyed and eager med- student with youth on his side. He was an actual doctor, who by now should be working regular hours not these crazy ones.
Not much longer and his residency would be done and hopefully County would give him an attending position here. Maybe Susan could come in earlier and take up the last part of his shift so that he could go home at three. He sat down and picked up the phone. He called Susan and sweet talked her into covering the rest of this one for him. He was so tired after the past two days that he had, he deserved to sit down for a few minutes. He couldn't remember if he had a new med student coming in today or if she would be coming when he got back. Hopefully it was the later, either way though he was going to pawn her off onto one of the other residents there to supervise, he just hadn't decided who yet.
Abby headed back down to the ER. Their patient was in the OR and her vital signs had been looking better. Her fetal heart rate had been strong too, and for that Abby was glad. Hopefully both mom and baby would make it. She was also grateful that today was one of her admin days so she only had to stay at work until 3. Of course she would have to do the nurses next schedule once she got home, but at least she'd be home. She would also get to tuck Carter into her bed. She was going to make sure he got some solid sleep and hot meal before he had to head back into this insanity. She really hoped he would consider their getaway worth all these shifts. She was looking forward to time alone with him, but she hated seeing him work himself into the ground so they could go.
After lunch, Abby noticed the ER began to settle down, which was good. She and Carter might be able to have those few quite minutes she had been hoping for. Abby walked into the lounge and saw Carter sitting on the couch staring into space. She sat down next to him, and slipped her hand into his.
Carter looked at Abby. He wanted this getaway more than anything, even though he wanted to tell Kerry where to shove all this extra work. A week with nothing to do would be a treat. He smiled at her, the first smile that had crossed his face all day. He was so tired and was beginning to drag. All he wanted was to go home, have a hot shower and crawl into bed.
"What time do you get to leave here today?" He asked her.
" Three", she answered. "How about you?"
"Not soon enough," Carter sighed, "I will be out of here at three. Susan is coming in to cover the rest of my shift. Unless Weaver comes up with some nut-ball excuse for me to have to stay again. Honestly though, I don't think that I could handle pulling three in a row."
"I'm sure Kerry will let you go home when Susan gets here. She knows it's not safe to have anyone here that long. Besides, all she would have to do is take one look at you." Abby said, while stroking Carter's tired face. "You look like crap, no offense."
"Thanks," Carter said pulling her close to him, "I just want to curl up in a warm bed and sleep all my troubles away. Kerry keeps working me like this and I am not going to have any time to pack. Either that or I am going to end up sleeping thru my sister's wedding and I can't do that. Barbara would kill me. I just wish Susan would get here. I am bolting out that door and not looking back. No one can make me stay. I need to be a free man sometime now don't I."
"You'll be out of here soon," Abby said. "Just don't look too close when Susan gets here because she is bringing my dress, and I don't want you to get a sneak preview."
"I promise, I won't look at Susan when she comes in. I just want to pass these patients off to a doctor who hasn't been living here for the last day and a half. Go home, shower, sleep and then get ready to leave. I haven't had time to get anything done and we need to leave soon." Carter said looking at Abby, "there isn't anything else in the world that I want right now other than to take you away. That is the only thing that will make this all worthwhile. I will see you In a few hours. I'm going to go finish up what needs to be done." Carter put his hand on the door and headed out.
He just wanted to get out of here. He finished up what he needed to do, cleared off the board, got the last couple of dispo's finished and then padded off to find Susan. He knew that by now she had to be around here somewhere. He headed back into the lounge to see if they were in there, he backed into the room. "Is it safe for me to enter?" He asked.
Susan chuckled as she saw Carter coming into the lounge butt first. Abby wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close.
"Yes, it's safe for you to come in. Susan, smart girl that she is put my dress into a garment bag. Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah let's get out of here before I fall over from exhaustion. Or Weaver finds me. One of the two. Hot shower, warm bed here I come." Carter started to walk out the door pulling Abby with him He didn't stop pulling until they got out the ambulance bay doors.
If felt good to be outside the hospital. And know that he didn't have to go back for a whole week. That was something that he hadn't done in a long time. The last time he had taken more than a couple of days off wasn't by choice. It was either Atlanta or the highway and end of his career, he was glad that Benton had dragged his butt to Atlanta. Now he was going to hop on a plane and take Abby with him. Some long overdue time away from the stress of work and family. He smiled down at her as they walked to the EL. He couldn't remember ever being this happy. "I love you." He said kissing her chin.
"I just thought of something, Carter," Abby said, pulling back and looking into his eyes. "I drove your jeep when I came in this morning. Do you still want to take the EL?"
"No, we'd better go get it." Carter said, "I didn't know you took the jeep this morning. Getting braver about driving in Chicago?" He asked her. In the entire time they had been together she had never even asked to borrow his jeep.
"Well, since I came into work at 3am, I didn't feel safe taking the EL," Abby said, grabbing Carter's hand as they walked back toward the parking garage. "I hope you don't mind that I took the jeep without asking."
"Abby no I don't mind, I don't want you riding the EL at 3 am." He said, "I'd rather know that you are locked safely inside the jeep than where you could get.." He stopped in his sentence. "Hurt."
Abby squeezed his hand tighter "I know how to be careful, John. I have been in more dangerous places than Chicago. Believe me."
"That's not the point Abby. Anything could happy at any time." He said to her, "and I'd rather not have anything happen."
"I promise you, I will always be careful." Abby stopped walking and pulled Carter into an embrace. "I never want anything else to happen to you either.
"Abby I am going to be with you until time stops." He said opening the door of the jeep for her, "your chariot awaits."
"Thank you kind sir," Abby took Carters hand, and dropped into a slight curtsy before getting into the jeep.
Carter shut the door and walked around to the driver's side. He climbed in, "what were you doing at the hospital at 3 am Abby, I thought that you didn't work until 7."
"Because I couldn't sleep without you there." she said simply.
Carter was silent for a minute, "have I become your teddy bear then Abby?"
"I guess," she said with a slight smile
Carter kept driving, "did you finish packing yet?"
"I just have to add in the dress and a few odds and ends, then I am ready to go."
"And your passport?" He asked.
"Oh, yes" Abby said. "I know right where it is. Hate my picture on it though."
"They never are good pictures; mine's not that hot. Our flight leaves at 11." He said.
"That's not too bad. We don't have to be up too early. But have you had a chance to pack yet?"
"No I haven't. I'll get it done."
"I think you should sleep first, though," Abby said, looking at the dark circles under Carter's eyes. "You look ready to drop."
"I know, I am." He said pulling up in front of Abby's apartment. "Do I have enough of my stuff over here to pack?"
Abby thought a moment. "Probably the only thing you don't have here that you will need is your tux."
"No I know it's here, I wore it that night that you went with me to one of Gamma's charity functions and wore that pink bridesmaids dress." He said laughing.
"You couldn't have left it here that time," Abby said, chuckling. "Because I didn't let you in the door when you dropped me off. I think you have forgotten the black Prada dress that somehow magically arrived in my closet."
"Oh," He said, "I could have sworn that I had left it here the last time that I had it on. But then I can't remember if I gave Susan all the pass- on's. I think I forgot to tell her to discharge the guy in three."
"Carter, you need to sleep, your brain is turning to mush. Once we get inside, you can call Susan, check the closet, and eat, then go to bed.".
"I'm not hungry." He said, "but Susan then bed sounds good."
"I'm not sure I like Susan and bed coming from you in the same sentence." Abby said, still smiling. "But you should eat a little something."
"How about call Susan and take you to bed?" He said, "and I did eat, you brought me chicken, there were donuts at the nurse's station on 3, cookies on 5, these little egg roll things on 7."
"Sounds good to me, Baby. I didn't sleep very well last night. Can't imagine why." Abby said as she pulled her keys out, and put them in the lock.
"I can't imagine either. Was there no one here to warm your side of the bed before you got in." He said pushing her thru the door.
Abby kicked the door shut, and wrapped her arms around Carter's neck. "We should both sleep well tonight."
"We should." He said walking backwards dragging her along with him. That is until he tripped over the couch.
"Careful, you don't want to go to your sister's wedding in a cast, and I don't want to go back to the ER anytime soon," Abby said, trying to steady Carter.
"No cast, and definitely no County. I don't care to see that place for another week and a half." He said, "care to join me for some much deserved rest."
"Do you think I would say no?"
"You'd be nuts to say no to an offer this good. Warm bed, no snoring. Plus my pager's turned off." He said.
"Oh, but Carter, you do snore." Abby said, punching him lightly on his arm. "But I can live with it."
"No, that's you, but if you can live with me, I can live with you." He said pulling back the cover, "now my dear if you'll excuse me I have a date with this here pillow, as I have not seen it in over a day."
"Do you want me to leave the two of you alone?"
"Jealous?"
"What's not to be jealous of? She gets your strong arms wrapped around her when I'm not here, and sometimes I think she's the only reason you come here." Abby said, as she sat on the edge of the bed and took off her shoes.
Carter reached over and pulled Abby down next to him. "You know the only reason I come here isn't for the pillow. It's because of you. And when your not here I have to have something to hold, but it's not this one. It's yours." He said. "Abby I hope you know just how much I love you. Thank you for coming to Barb's wedding with me."
Abby relaxed into Carter's arms, feeling content. "I'm glad you asked me to go. I just hope I don't embarrass you."
"You could never embarrass me. Now, I on the other hand, could probably embarrass you. I missed the grace that they were handing out." He said.
"Don't sell yourself short. In a trauma, you are one of the most graceful people I have ever seen."
Carter thought back, "now I am, but I remember the day that Deb nailed me with the difibulator. Back then I sure could blunder my way around. I am so glad you didn't know me then."
Abby turned her head to look him right in the eye, "I may not have known you then, but I have heard stories. I wish I could have met you then, might have saved me a few problems," Abby said, almost wistfully
"Well the most important thing is that you are here, with me now." He said pulling her close to him, he kissed the top of her head and started to snore
Abby smiled as she drifted off to sleep. There was no better place for her to be than in his arms.
Abby let herself into her apartment. She put the remnants of her dinner with Carter into the refrigerator, then headed for bed. As she lay on her side of the bed she looked at the empty side, Carter's side. 'I love you' he had said. Those words seemed to roll so easily off his lips, yet to this point she had been unable to return them. Did she love him? To be honest with herself, yes, she did. But to admit it out loud made her vulnerable. When the time was right, she promised herself, she would say those words. And she would mean them with all her heart.
Carter wrapped up his shift. He was exhausted. He had managed to avoid Weaver for the rest of the evening. She had been detained upstairs, doing what he didn't know but he really didn't care either. It had kept her from piling scut work on top of him. He signed over what patients he had and went over the board with Luka. He headed into the lounge and grabbed his belongings out of his locker. He was ready to get out of there, go home, and climb into bed. There was nothing else that he wanted other than to curl up next to Abby and sleep for the next 12 hours.
Weaver came walking into the lounge. She didn't' t look very happy. Carter didn't want to know what was bothering her. He just wanted to go home.
"Carter." Kerry barked.
"I'm off Kerry." He said looking at her, "I've put in my 2 shift and now I am going home."
"Actually Dr. Chen just called in sick. I need you to cover her shift." She said looking at him.
What could Carter say. He had told her that he would cover the hours that he was going to be missing when he took Abby to Switzerland. "Isn't there anyone else that can come in?" Carter pleaded.
"Nope. You're the one who's here so you get the luck of the draw John." She said walking out.
"Kerry you can't be serious. That means I am going to be stuck here for another 12 hours. And I have shift tomorrow on top of it." He said.
"You're the one who said that you would make up for taking another week off John." She said as she started to walk out of the room.
"All right Kerry. I'll let Luka know that I am here, but I can tell you this I am sleeping until I am needed." He said.
"Fine Carter." Kerry said storming out of the room.
Just his luck. He was going to have to stay now and not get to go home. He decided that he would wait and call Abby in the morning. There was no need to wake her up at this hour. He was sure that she would be sleeping. Chen had better be on her death bed he thought to himself as he closed his locker and headed back out to the admit area.
"Hey Luka," Carter said.
"Yeah Carter." He said.
"Looks like I am going to be here all night again. I'll be in the lounge sleeping, if you need me. " John said walking down the hall, "this is going to be one hell of a long shift."
Luka just stared at John as he headed down the hall. Carter could care less. He was tired, grumpy and all he wanted to do was go to sleep.
Abby was tossing and turning. Without opening her eyes she knew Carter wasn't home yet. She looked at the clock, it was almost 2A.M., where was he? She closed her eyes again, tried to sleep. After lying there for a few more minutes, she realized she wouldn't be able to sleep until she knew he was ok. Abby hoped that Carter just had to stay late at the ER, but she just had to check. She grabbed the phone, and called the ER.
"ER, may I help you?" The bored sounding voice on the other end of the phone said.
"Randi, its Abby. Is Carter still there?" Abby said.
Ya, Abby, he's still here,"Randi said. "He's sleeping, did you want me to wake him up?"
"No, that's ok. I was just worried, he was late getting home." Abby said, feeling relieved.
"Chen called in sick, so he ended up having to stay," Randi said. "And he was none too happy."
"I can just imagine," Abby chuckled. "When he wakes up, let him know I called."
"Will do," Randi replied. "Good Night."
"Good Night, Randi," Abby said then hung up the phone. She tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't. After an hour, she decided to get up. She had to work at 7 and since she wasn't getting any rest being home alone, Abby figured she might as well just go in now.
Abby took Carter's jeep into work, since 3 A.M. wasn't the best time to be on the EL. It was quiet when she came in. Abby didn't see Carter anywhere.
"Good Morning Randi," Abby said, as she took off her coat. "Where's Carter?"
"Still asleep in the lounge." Randi said.
"Thanks," Abby said, heading for the lounge. "You'll know where I'll be."
Abby slipped quietly into the lounge. Carter was asleep on the couch. Abby eased herself onto the couch with him, and fell asleep instantly.
Carter awoke to the sound of someone calling his name. He opened his eyes to see Lydia standing there next to him.
"Dr. Carter we have multiple MVA's coming in Dr. Kovac is going to need your help." She said quietly.
Carter noticed that Abby was curled up next to him the best that she could. Carter slipped off the couch trying not to wake her up. "What time is it Lydia?" Carter asked.
"It's about six, Dr. Carter." She said to him, "Abby's been in here I think since about two or three am." She said as she slipped out the door.
Carter leaned down pulled the blanket around Abby. He wondered what had brought her down here before her shift so early. He kissed her forehead gently and headed out into the ER to get back to work.
Abby heard the noise of the day shift arriving. Guess it was time to get up and get to work. Carter wasn't in the lounge anymore. He must already be hard at it, she thought. Abby ran a quick brush through her hair, then headed out to face the ER. As she looked into Trauma One it seemed Carter could use some help. Abby went into the room, ready to assist.
Carter was having a difficult time stabilizing his trauma patient. She was bleeding out somewhere and he couldn't find it. He looked up to see Abby come in. Another set of hands would be appreciated right now. He was putting in a chest tube. He needed to get the lungs re-expanded so that the patient could breath again. "Abby get me the sonosite." He said. "Push another five of epi and hang another unit of 0-"
He wanted to get the patient as stable as he could and then get her upstairs to get the bleeding stopped. "Where's Corday. I need a surgeon now." He barked.
Abby quickly followed Carter's instructions. After she pushed the epi and hung the blood, she grabbed the sonosite. Running the sensor over the patient's abdomen she noticed something. ''Dr. Carter'' she said, ''you need to look at this.''
Carter leaned over and looked at the sonosite screen. He was not seeing what he wanted to see, but he was getting the answer to why he couldn't stabilize his patient. "Get Corday down here now. Her spleen is shredded and she's approximately 30 weeks." Carter said. "She's also showing signs of placental abruption. Right now that's the least of our worries. Keep your fingers crossed that it will stop bleeding on it's own. Prep to take her upstairs, even if Corday doesn't get down here in the next three minutes, she has to go up." Carter turned, and headed out the door, "Pratt you can go upstairs and make sure she gets there." It was turning into one of those days. Not the way that he wanted his day to turn out. There was something about having to stay and cover a shift. Once it started to go downhill it never seemed to stop.
Abby looked toward Carter as he left the room. He looked so tired. She hoped the rest of his day would go better. Abby knew these long hours could really get to him. She would help Pratt take the patient up to surgery, and then she would try to find Carter for a few quiet minutes.
Carter walked into the lounge. He wanted five minutes to himself. He needed to clear his head, or at least try to clear his head. He glanced up at the clock as he poured a cup of coffee from the pot. He grimaced as he took a sip. One of the doctors had made it cause it was stronger than strong. Two more hours, that was all he needed to stay. Then he could go home and curl up and catch up on some sleep. He could remember the days when shifts like this never bothered him and he didn't mind covering for people. But his age was catching up with him. He was no longer the bright eyed and eager med- student with youth on his side. He was an actual doctor, who by now should be working regular hours not these crazy ones.
Not much longer and his residency would be done and hopefully County would give him an attending position here. Maybe Susan could come in earlier and take up the last part of his shift so that he could go home at three. He sat down and picked up the phone. He called Susan and sweet talked her into covering the rest of this one for him. He was so tired after the past two days that he had, he deserved to sit down for a few minutes. He couldn't remember if he had a new med student coming in today or if she would be coming when he got back. Hopefully it was the later, either way though he was going to pawn her off onto one of the other residents there to supervise, he just hadn't decided who yet.
Abby headed back down to the ER. Their patient was in the OR and her vital signs had been looking better. Her fetal heart rate had been strong too, and for that Abby was glad. Hopefully both mom and baby would make it. She was also grateful that today was one of her admin days so she only had to stay at work until 3. Of course she would have to do the nurses next schedule once she got home, but at least she'd be home. She would also get to tuck Carter into her bed. She was going to make sure he got some solid sleep and hot meal before he had to head back into this insanity. She really hoped he would consider their getaway worth all these shifts. She was looking forward to time alone with him, but she hated seeing him work himself into the ground so they could go.
After lunch, Abby noticed the ER began to settle down, which was good. She and Carter might be able to have those few quite minutes she had been hoping for. Abby walked into the lounge and saw Carter sitting on the couch staring into space. She sat down next to him, and slipped her hand into his.
Carter looked at Abby. He wanted this getaway more than anything, even though he wanted to tell Kerry where to shove all this extra work. A week with nothing to do would be a treat. He smiled at her, the first smile that had crossed his face all day. He was so tired and was beginning to drag. All he wanted was to go home, have a hot shower and crawl into bed.
"What time do you get to leave here today?" He asked her.
" Three", she answered. "How about you?"
"Not soon enough," Carter sighed, "I will be out of here at three. Susan is coming in to cover the rest of my shift. Unless Weaver comes up with some nut-ball excuse for me to have to stay again. Honestly though, I don't think that I could handle pulling three in a row."
"I'm sure Kerry will let you go home when Susan gets here. She knows it's not safe to have anyone here that long. Besides, all she would have to do is take one look at you." Abby said, while stroking Carter's tired face. "You look like crap, no offense."
"Thanks," Carter said pulling her close to him, "I just want to curl up in a warm bed and sleep all my troubles away. Kerry keeps working me like this and I am not going to have any time to pack. Either that or I am going to end up sleeping thru my sister's wedding and I can't do that. Barbara would kill me. I just wish Susan would get here. I am bolting out that door and not looking back. No one can make me stay. I need to be a free man sometime now don't I."
"You'll be out of here soon," Abby said. "Just don't look too close when Susan gets here because she is bringing my dress, and I don't want you to get a sneak preview."
"I promise, I won't look at Susan when she comes in. I just want to pass these patients off to a doctor who hasn't been living here for the last day and a half. Go home, shower, sleep and then get ready to leave. I haven't had time to get anything done and we need to leave soon." Carter said looking at Abby, "there isn't anything else in the world that I want right now other than to take you away. That is the only thing that will make this all worthwhile. I will see you In a few hours. I'm going to go finish up what needs to be done." Carter put his hand on the door and headed out.
He just wanted to get out of here. He finished up what he needed to do, cleared off the board, got the last couple of dispo's finished and then padded off to find Susan. He knew that by now she had to be around here somewhere. He headed back into the lounge to see if they were in there, he backed into the room. "Is it safe for me to enter?" He asked.
Susan chuckled as she saw Carter coming into the lounge butt first. Abby wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close.
"Yes, it's safe for you to come in. Susan, smart girl that she is put my dress into a garment bag. Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah let's get out of here before I fall over from exhaustion. Or Weaver finds me. One of the two. Hot shower, warm bed here I come." Carter started to walk out the door pulling Abby with him He didn't stop pulling until they got out the ambulance bay doors.
If felt good to be outside the hospital. And know that he didn't have to go back for a whole week. That was something that he hadn't done in a long time. The last time he had taken more than a couple of days off wasn't by choice. It was either Atlanta or the highway and end of his career, he was glad that Benton had dragged his butt to Atlanta. Now he was going to hop on a plane and take Abby with him. Some long overdue time away from the stress of work and family. He smiled down at her as they walked to the EL. He couldn't remember ever being this happy. "I love you." He said kissing her chin.
"I just thought of something, Carter," Abby said, pulling back and looking into his eyes. "I drove your jeep when I came in this morning. Do you still want to take the EL?"
"No, we'd better go get it." Carter said, "I didn't know you took the jeep this morning. Getting braver about driving in Chicago?" He asked her. In the entire time they had been together she had never even asked to borrow his jeep.
"Well, since I came into work at 3am, I didn't feel safe taking the EL," Abby said, grabbing Carter's hand as they walked back toward the parking garage. "I hope you don't mind that I took the jeep without asking."
"Abby no I don't mind, I don't want you riding the EL at 3 am." He said, "I'd rather know that you are locked safely inside the jeep than where you could get.." He stopped in his sentence. "Hurt."
Abby squeezed his hand tighter "I know how to be careful, John. I have been in more dangerous places than Chicago. Believe me."
"That's not the point Abby. Anything could happy at any time." He said to her, "and I'd rather not have anything happen."
"I promise you, I will always be careful." Abby stopped walking and pulled Carter into an embrace. "I never want anything else to happen to you either.
"Abby I am going to be with you until time stops." He said opening the door of the jeep for her, "your chariot awaits."
"Thank you kind sir," Abby took Carters hand, and dropped into a slight curtsy before getting into the jeep.
Carter shut the door and walked around to the driver's side. He climbed in, "what were you doing at the hospital at 3 am Abby, I thought that you didn't work until 7."
"Because I couldn't sleep without you there." she said simply.
Carter was silent for a minute, "have I become your teddy bear then Abby?"
"I guess," she said with a slight smile
Carter kept driving, "did you finish packing yet?"
"I just have to add in the dress and a few odds and ends, then I am ready to go."
"And your passport?" He asked.
"Oh, yes" Abby said. "I know right where it is. Hate my picture on it though."
"They never are good pictures; mine's not that hot. Our flight leaves at 11." He said.
"That's not too bad. We don't have to be up too early. But have you had a chance to pack yet?"
"No I haven't. I'll get it done."
"I think you should sleep first, though," Abby said, looking at the dark circles under Carter's eyes. "You look ready to drop."
"I know, I am." He said pulling up in front of Abby's apartment. "Do I have enough of my stuff over here to pack?"
Abby thought a moment. "Probably the only thing you don't have here that you will need is your tux."
"No I know it's here, I wore it that night that you went with me to one of Gamma's charity functions and wore that pink bridesmaids dress." He said laughing.
"You couldn't have left it here that time," Abby said, chuckling. "Because I didn't let you in the door when you dropped me off. I think you have forgotten the black Prada dress that somehow magically arrived in my closet."
"Oh," He said, "I could have sworn that I had left it here the last time that I had it on. But then I can't remember if I gave Susan all the pass- on's. I think I forgot to tell her to discharge the guy in three."
"Carter, you need to sleep, your brain is turning to mush. Once we get inside, you can call Susan, check the closet, and eat, then go to bed.".
"I'm not hungry." He said, "but Susan then bed sounds good."
"I'm not sure I like Susan and bed coming from you in the same sentence." Abby said, still smiling. "But you should eat a little something."
"How about call Susan and take you to bed?" He said, "and I did eat, you brought me chicken, there were donuts at the nurse's station on 3, cookies on 5, these little egg roll things on 7."
"Sounds good to me, Baby. I didn't sleep very well last night. Can't imagine why." Abby said as she pulled her keys out, and put them in the lock.
"I can't imagine either. Was there no one here to warm your side of the bed before you got in." He said pushing her thru the door.
Abby kicked the door shut, and wrapped her arms around Carter's neck. "We should both sleep well tonight."
"We should." He said walking backwards dragging her along with him. That is until he tripped over the couch.
"Careful, you don't want to go to your sister's wedding in a cast, and I don't want to go back to the ER anytime soon," Abby said, trying to steady Carter.
"No cast, and definitely no County. I don't care to see that place for another week and a half." He said, "care to join me for some much deserved rest."
"Do you think I would say no?"
"You'd be nuts to say no to an offer this good. Warm bed, no snoring. Plus my pager's turned off." He said.
"Oh, but Carter, you do snore." Abby said, punching him lightly on his arm. "But I can live with it."
"No, that's you, but if you can live with me, I can live with you." He said pulling back the cover, "now my dear if you'll excuse me I have a date with this here pillow, as I have not seen it in over a day."
"Do you want me to leave the two of you alone?"
"Jealous?"
"What's not to be jealous of? She gets your strong arms wrapped around her when I'm not here, and sometimes I think she's the only reason you come here." Abby said, as she sat on the edge of the bed and took off her shoes.
Carter reached over and pulled Abby down next to him. "You know the only reason I come here isn't for the pillow. It's because of you. And when your not here I have to have something to hold, but it's not this one. It's yours." He said. "Abby I hope you know just how much I love you. Thank you for coming to Barb's wedding with me."
Abby relaxed into Carter's arms, feeling content. "I'm glad you asked me to go. I just hope I don't embarrass you."
"You could never embarrass me. Now, I on the other hand, could probably embarrass you. I missed the grace that they were handing out." He said.
"Don't sell yourself short. In a trauma, you are one of the most graceful people I have ever seen."
Carter thought back, "now I am, but I remember the day that Deb nailed me with the difibulator. Back then I sure could blunder my way around. I am so glad you didn't know me then."
Abby turned her head to look him right in the eye, "I may not have known you then, but I have heard stories. I wish I could have met you then, might have saved me a few problems," Abby said, almost wistfully
"Well the most important thing is that you are here, with me now." He said pulling her close to him, he kissed the top of her head and started to snore
Abby smiled as she drifted off to sleep. There was no better place for her to be than in his arms.