Author's Note: Thank you for all the kind reviews. I'm sorry I forgot to translate the Croatian in the first chapter. Luka said, "I've got you, Babe. It's going to be fine."

Carter handed Wendell the cup of coffee he had poured, then they headed out of the Lounge. "So, how many times have you been snowboarding?" He asked with a smile.

"I've lost count," she said, as they walked along the halls, "In fact…." Wendell's sentence was cut off by a loud scream.

Carter's head swung around, his heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice as Abby's voice called out for him again. Obviously something was very wrong. He wondered why no one told him anything, then he realized it wasn't really his right to know anymore. Turning his back on Wendell, he sprinted away, her frown following him.

As he pulled the blanket from the warmer, Luka heard Abby screaming. He could kick himself for leaving her alone. But as he ran back to her room, he saw Carter rush in. As much as he wanted to help, Luka had heard her call for Carter, and as long as he was willing to be there for her, Luka knew he had to step back. Hopefully she would be more comfortable having Carter with her and she would finally tell someone what had gone on. He stopped and watched through the window.

Carter was shocked at Abby's appearance, she was pale, her breathing was labored and her eyes shone bright with pure terror. Despite the distance he had been forcing himself maintain from Abby over the last few months, Carter realized this was no time for hesitation. He wrapped his arms around her tight, guiding her head to rest on his chest as she began to cry.

"Oh John, I was so scared." Abby sobbed, wrapping her arms him taking a small comfort in the familiar feeling of being held by him. "I shouldn't have let them take me. How could I have been so stupid. I really thought I was going to die."

Of all the things she might have said, he hadn't expected her to say that. No wonder she looked so shattered. Carter pulled away, placing his hands on either side of her face, so that she was looking him in the eyes, "But you didn't die. You're here and you're not alone." Then he pulled her back into a secure hug.

Abby didn't know how to reply to that, but she was thankful that Carter wasn't pushing her to talk. She let herself relax in his embrace, the ativan making her sleepy again. Carter held her until he was sure she had fallen asleep, then he gently lay her on the pillow. As he straighten up, through the window he saw the anxious faces of Susan, Kerry and Luka, who was holding a blanket. "Is that for her?" he asked as he came out of the exam room.

"Yes, she was cold earlier. I had gone out to get it for her when apparently she had the nightmare," Luka said. "We probably shouldn't leave her alone."

Kerry held out her hand for the blanket, "let me go cover her, then I think we all need to talk." Seeing the frowns on both Carter and Luka faces she added, "Okay, we can talk in there." Kerry headed into the room, her three attending on her heels.

Over the next few hours, the four of them made sure that Abby was never alone while she faded in and out of sleep. She had told Carter enough that Kerry realized that the police needed to be called.

Abby had been sleeping a while, when she opened her eyes to see two men in uniform standing outside the exam room. She sat straight up, trying to jump off the gurney, and would have made it if Kerry and Carter hadn't stopped her. "No, no, no, no. I can't, Kerry," she said, franticly shaking her head. "I can't tell." Her eyes swung towards Carter. "Make her understand, John. I wasn't supposed to say anything."

After getting Abby settled back on the gurney, Kerry stroked her arm, trying to get her calmed back down. "Honey, I know your scared, but you have to talk to the authorities," she said, firmly, but with tenderness.

Carter could feel his fingers going numb as Abby held on to his hand with an iron grip. "Abby, she's right. I'm sure you promised not to say anything, but they can't hurt you now. We will all make sure you are safe. Sweetheart, it's important."

"I will ask the officers if one of us can stay with you," Kerry said.

Abby looked at John, then back at Kerry, and then reluctantly nodded her consent. Abby chose Susan to stay with her as she gave her statement to the officers, clinging to her hand as she began to recount everything that had happened from the moment she had gone outside to smoke until she arrived back at the ER. Susan was incredibly relieved that her suspicion that Abby had been raped was wrong, but what she had gone through was horrendous nonetheless. After her account, Abby fell into an exhausted sleep, again with someone with her at all times.

Two hours later she woke up, calm and with stable vitals. Attempting a brave smile, she looked at Luka and Kerry. "Can I go home now?" she asked. She just wanted to get out of there, and tuck herself into her own bed.

"I've got my car here, so I'll drive you home, and stay with you till Neela gets off shift. I'll go get your coat, and let Susan and Carter know that we are going," Kerry said. "I'll be right back."

Abby swung her legs over the edge of the gurney, felling just the tiniest bit dizzy. Luka noticed her sway, so he stepped closer and steadied her. "I'll call you in a few hours, just to check on you," he said, tucking a stay hair behind her ear.

"Are you sure Sam wouldn't be jealous?" Abby asked with a ghost of a smile.

Luka chuckled, "I'm sure she'll be okay with it, as long as we don't make it a habit."

"Thank you for being here," Abby said softly, glancing away.

"Anytime," Luka said, helping her to her feet as Carter and Kerry came back in.

"I'll walk you to the car," Carter said, and noticing she still looked a little unsteady, he slipped an arm around her waist. "Susan asked me to tell you she will give you a call tomorrow."

As they walked outside, Abby could feel herself getting tense again. Carter noticed it too, and gave her a little squeeze. Without incident, he tucked her into Kerry's car. "Thank you," she said, as he leaned down to brush his lips over her cheek.

"You know, you can call me any time," Kerry said, breaking the silence when they were about half way to Abby's apartment.

"I know, everyone has been wonderful," Abby said, fidgeting her hands. "But I'll be okay."

Kerry tried to hid her frown at Abby's comment, but she knew that it was just going to take time. She parked near Abby's apartment, and they walked upstairs, Kerry noticing Abby's watchfulness.

After letting them into her apartment, Abby gestured toward the kitchen, "Help yourself to anything you can find. If you don't mind, I'm just going to go to bed. I don't mean to be rude."

"Don't worry about me, you go ahead, I'm just going to stay until Neela gets home. But if you need anything, let me know."

"I will, thank you, Kerry." Abby said, as she firmly shut her bedroom door. Abby got undressed, kicking the scrubs under her bed, so she couldn't see them. She lay there awake, smoking, long after she heard Neela come in and Kerry leave. Abby wasn't sure what to do, she knew that her friends would be there for her, but she wanted to try to handle things by herself. After going through a pack of cigarettes and two separate cravings for a beer, Abby picked up her wallet, looking for an almost forgotten card. With shaky fingers she dialed the number.

"Hi, Dr. Lagaspi, this is Abby Lockhart. Do you have the name of someone who specializes in post trauma? I think I'm going to need some help."