A/N: I don't own ER or any of it's characters. This story takes place during season 6 during "All in the Family." Yes, this is a Cary fic because, yes, I believe it that episode should've ended up differently. I'm a Carcy lover and if you aren't, that's fine too. Anyhoo, this is my interpretation on what should've happened. (if Kellie Martin didn't leave to complete college.) Also, all of the opening quotes are from the song State of Mind by Merril Bainbridge. And thanks for all the reviews! I'm so happy so many people like my fic.
Cartergal131: yayness!!! and thankies!!! hope you like this update.
Chapter 5: Friends
"While I'm asleep
I feel it
Driving me to something I'll regret
I feel it
I feel it
If it doesn't stop
I'll go insane."
Lucy rolled her way out of the elevator and to the front desk where a man was being hassled by Jerry. The man was about Mark's height but the body build of Luka. He had dark brown eyes and the hair to match. It was closely cropped and underneath his trench coat was Army fatigues.
"Look, if you're not here because you're sick or visiting then you have to leave." He started to push the guy out of the hospital when the guy gently pushed him away.
"But I already told you, I'm here to pick up Lucy Knight and take her home." He explained to Jerry for about the millionth time.
"I don't know who you think you're trying to fool, buddy, but Lucy Knight isn't going anywhere."
"It's alright, Jerry." Carter said coming out of the Lounge with a cup of coffee. "Lucy's going to spend the rest of her recovery back home. This is her friend--he's taking her home." He repeated to Jerry for the man since he was more credible.
"Oh! Hey, sorry about that, man." Jerry apologized as he headed back to the desk.
"No problem. You wouldn't happen to know where she is?" He asked Carter.
"I'm right here, Scott." Lucy said rolling over to him with a big smile. Carter noted that now had been the happiest anyone had seen her since she woke up.
"Hey, gorgeous!" He said leaning down to hug her returning the smile. Meanwhile, unnoticed by either of the two friends, Carter rolled his eyes and groaned taking another sip of his coffee at the nickname. "How you doing?"
"I wish people would stop asking me that and fine." She replied, still smiling, as Scott straightened him self out.
"You ready to go?" He asked pointing toward the door.
"Yeah, just give me a minute to clean out my locker." She said starting to roll toward the Lounge.
"I'll give you a hand." Carter said turning to follow her.
"I don't your help, Dr. Carter." She replied with a bit of anger.
"Dr. Carter?" Scott asked and both he and Lucy stopped moving. "I've heard so much about you. Scott Parker, nice to finally meet you." He said placing is had out to shake Carter's.
"That'd be me and I've heard nothing about you." He shook Scott's hand putting on a plastic smile. "A pleasure all the same. You're in the Army?"
"Yeah. Five years this July."
"Wow! That's interesting. What's it like?" He asked trying to keep Lucy from leaving a little longer. Scott was about to answer when Lucy spoke up.
"I'll meet you out front, okay?"
"Sure thing. Nice meeting, doctor." He said walking out the doors.
"You too, Scott. Good luck with the Army." He called after him. He looked down at Lucy who gave him a dirty look before heading into the Lounge. "What?" He asked following her. Jerry, Chuny, Yosh and Lydia had witnessed the entire display and started to take polls on whether Lucy would decided to stay or would leave after Carter confessed he loved her at last. Carol, Mark and Luka heard them and bet that she would just go and Carter would retreat to his sulking stage again.
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Lucy went to her locker, Carter close behind, and started to clean it out into her backpack. Carter took another sip of his coffee to calm his nerves. He just watched Lucy a moment as she did so. Carter didn't want to see Lucy leave--even if it was to help her recovery, he didn't want her to go. As much as he, to some extent, hated to admit it, he had grown fond of Lucy. Even after their spats about her not knowing how to start an IV drip, the video in her computer pad, and the kiss in Exam 6. All those things made him curse himself for being so cruel to her. Maybe if I hadn't acted like such an ass before this whole mess, she'd be staying.
"I can't see you but I know you're watching me, Dr. Carter." She said backing up her chair a bit. He chuckled at how even in her present state she didn't lose her sense of humor. Lucy pushed herself up from the chair with a lot of pain and effort to stand. As she lifted her feet off of the chair, she kept her balance by gripping at the top of her locker where her painkillers were. Lucy suddenly lost her footing and fell. Had it not been for Carter who dropped his coffee and dived to catch her, she would've ended up on the floor instead of in his arms.
"You need to be more careful." He stated helping her back into her chair. "Ask for help next time." He said pulling out her painkillers and she snatched them from him, placing them into her backpack.
"Thanks." She said rather bland not looking at him.
"Alright, Lucy, that's it. I can't take this anymore!" He said pulling her from her locker and spinning her around to face him, her wheels squeaking on the coffee. "Why are you mad at me?" He asked frustrated kneeling down to her level so she couldn't look away. "And don't give me that "pity look" crap because I got them too, but I didn't go around hating everyone for it! I didn't leave my friends! My home!"
"In case you forgot, Dr. Carter, this isn't my home!" She replied angry trying to push him away.
"No." He said pulling her back to face him. "No! You are a fighter, Lucy! Since the day I met you you've been a fighter! I mean, hell! You've put up with me, you've even told me off a few times, you came back from a coma and a serious stabbing--you came back from the dead, Lucy!" She couldn't look away from him now, not when everything he was saying was true. Her eyes had started to well up with tears while he spoke with from love and concern but through anger. "Why, Lucy? Why? Why are you really leaving? Is it me? Do you blame me for this?" He said hitting the wheels of the chair as he shouted 'this.' "Do you? Talk to me, Lucy." He finished wiping a tear from her cheek. She didn't even turn away from him as he did so. Swallowing hard to remove the lump in her throat which throbbed in pain, she opened her mouth to speak.
"I...I-I do blame you, Carter." She said another tear falling as he couldn't help but smile at the use of his name. But his smile faded when he realized she said that she did blame him. "I do blame you. I'm sorry." She whispered taking his hand off her cheek gently. He was about to ask why when she zipped up her backpack and wiped her eyes quickly. "I have to go now." She said at last. He was about to stand up again but she put a hand to his cheek and wiped the tears that strolled down his with a small smile. When she released him, she sniffed and turned toward the door. As she opened it, she sat in the doorway for a moment before looking back at him. "Good-bye...John." She smiled, as another small tear fell not just from her eyes, but his as well.
As the door closed, he sat down on the couch at just looked up at the window. His thoughts drifted back to his dream, as they often did whenever he saw Lucy. But this was different. The way she had left in his dream and the way she left him now had so many differences, but one thing was the same: she used his first name. She never did that. It wasn't exactly proper for a student to be on a first name basis with their teacher. At least not until they were a doctor them selves.
"What the hell happened in here?" Chuny said confused as to the coffee on the floor.
"Oh, sorry, Chuny. I'll clean that for you." He replied very melancholy rising to his feet. As he leaned down with a rag and cleaned his coffee, which dripped all the way to Lucy's locker, Chuny couldn't help but notice the expression on his face--empty.
Chapter 6: Thoughts
Preview: Everyone's thoughts (hence the title) on past events.