A/N: Hey, there! So glad to be back! here it is, the sequel to State of Mind. This picks up right where that left off so you should definately read that first. I started to write this as just a 2 part series and it's develpoed into a 3 part! So, look out for that too. When it's more develpoed, I'll let you know. Ass you know, I don't own anyone. I wish I did, but I don't. Also, all of the opening quotes are Peace of Mind by Nonpoint.

Chapter 17: The Letter

"You shouldve been satisfied
You should have been full inside
You could have been happy
Simply with your peace of mind"

It seemed to be just another typical day in the ER. A fax was arriving as Susan told Carter her sister Chloe and little Suzy had turned up in Elmira, NY, after disappearing for three weeks. Susan and Carter walked through the ER, dealing with different patients as Susan mulled her various options of dealing with Chloe. Legless Toby badgered them, asking them what happened to his artificial leg, and accused Susan of taking it. Carter handled Toby, telling Haleh to see if there were any extra legs in Central Supply. Carter and Susan arrived at Admit Desk, and he went to the fax machine, expecting to find some Lab results. Instead, he found a letter from Mark. Carter sat on the desk and read the letter for all to hear. At first, it was just Frank, Susan, Gallant and Haleh, but they were soon joined by Lydia, Malik, Luka, Lucy, Abby and Lily. They all shared sad smiles as each thought of Mark.

""Dear ER Gang..."" Carter started to read with a grin. ""...So here I am, out on the beach at 5:30 in the evening. Elizabeth is sitting with me drinking juice, but I'm all about the Mai Tais. The sun is going down, Rachel is dipping Ella's toes in the ocean as they head off on a quest for the perfect seashell. I find myself thinking, you know what would make this moment complete? Some jogger dropping to the sand short of breath so I can swoop in with a piece of bamboo to perform a nice clean Intubation, fix the guy up and send him off with a good simple dispo.""Carter laughed at that bit as did the others with smiles, all thinking, That's just like Mark. ""Which I guess is my way of saying that I miss you all and that dingy place. Lots of times I thought I should have chosen a different career or gone into private practice, something easier, less grinding, more lucrative. But since I've been gone, I realize outside what I'm doing right now-sitting on this beach with my family-staying at County all those years, doing what we do on a daily basis, was the best choice I ever made. I know what you're thinking, but trust me, it's not so hard to appreciate once it's over."" Carter paused for a moment before adding on a little joke. "That's gotta be the Mai Tais talking." Everyone laughed except Susan.

"Keep reading." She urged him and Carter cleared his throat before continuing.

""As much as part of me would like to believe that the ER can't go on without me the smarter part of me realizes that you're an incredible group of doctors and nurses who approach every day with such skill, compassion and thoroughness that when it comes to patient care, I know my absence will hardly be felt.""

"Hmph, I don't think that's possible." Haleh said sadly. How Mark could ever think that he wouldn't be missed as a doctor at County was beyond her.

""As for friendship and camaraderie, well, that's another matter. In order to leave, I had to go the way I did, but I wouldn't want any of you to think that that meant I didn't value each of you and the years we worked together, or that I didn't have things of a more personal nature to say. Most of you, I think, have an idea of what those things might be without me writing them down, but still..."" Carter stopped and everyone looked at him in anticipation.

"Go on." Luka urged after a beat as did Lucy next to him.

"There's just a couple dots then..." Carter explained as a smile spread across his face. ""Ella's laughing and waving for me. Rachel's found her shell.""

"Nothing else?" Lily asked as Carter flipped through the pages.

"Probably jammed." Frank groused as Carter silently read the third sheet of the letter. The others shared quiet laughs, but Susan was watching a shadow fall over Carter's face.

"What is it?" She asked and eeryone quieted down to listen as Carter read the final page.

"This is from Dr. Corday." Carter said with a heavy sigh as he read the message, his voice breaking. ""Mark died this morning at 6:04 A.M. The sun was rising, his favorite time of day. I sent this on so that you might know that he was thinking of you all and that he appreciated knowing you would remember him well.""Everyone was frozen in silence, many fighting back tears, as they deal with the news. Carter stood and handed the letter to Frank, telling him to post it on the board.

"That last part?" Frank asked, his voice cracking with emotion.

"The whole thing." Carter replies as he hurried away from the desk. Slowly the others filtered back to work as Frank tacked the letter on the bulletin board.

Chapter 18: Assume the Position

Preview: The day trudges on as Mark's death affects everyone.