Author's Note: I received a review from a reader that was displeased with the medical side of the story. I apologize for that. I don't know much about asthma, it was just an idea to get the plot out. The story is suppose to focus on Abby and her patient.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.

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I sit sandwiched between the wall and Carter in a booth across from Abby and Dr. Corday. After I had been discharged Carter and Abby invited my doctor out for coffee with us. Which I thought was a little strange until I found out the Elizabeth used to work at County. So here I am, in this cozy diner sipping hot chocolate with my very bandaged hands. The grown ups are chatting non-stop and a glance at the clock shows me it's a little after midnight. I snuggle closer to Carter and his arm easily wraps around me as my eyes droop.

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Bacon and eggs sizzling wakes me the next morning, and I see that I'm in my bed wearing yesterday's clothes. I scurry to the bathroom and take a fast shower, (wrapping me hands in plastic bags first,) put on fresh clothes, apply make up, pull my hair back and race to the kitchen in record time. Abby is sipping coffee and Carter is dishing out food. I slip into my place at the table and take a sip of some coffee that Carter hands to me along with the bacon and eggs.

"Mornin' you, sleep okay?" Abby asks, pulling me close and kissing the top of my head.

"Yes, but how did we get home? I don't remember," I ask, popping a piece of bacon in my mouth.

"Prince Charming over here, carried you to and from the car. You were dead to the world," Abby smiles at him.

"At your service," Carter grins back. I just eat my eggs, losers.

"What are you guys planning for today?" I ask as we munch in silence.

"Going to see Elizabeth again, we're leaving early tomorrow," Carter reminds me.

"You guys coming to the recital tonight though eh?" I inquire.

The nod at the same time and we all finish our breakfast.

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"Kali, are you still going to be in the show?" Carol gasps when she sees my freshly bandaged hands. (Abby changed them after breakfast.)

"Yes, but Carter and Abby don't know I'm in it at all," I say sheepishly, "It's a surprise. Carter's never seen me dance."

"Aww that's cute, did you bring your outfit?" Carol smiles, pulling out her own costume. A deep, rich red leotard with sleeves and a matching sheer skirt that stopped a bit below her knees. Mine was the same, as were the other girls'.

"No I left it with Madame at the studio, I'll grab it when we get there," I explain.

"Okay, let's bounce," she says, and heads towards the front door. I laugh and follow.

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I warm up quicker than the other girls when we reach the studio. I leave the dance room before them and wander back to the change room where I slip my street clothes over my costume. I make my way past the make-up room (where Carol is having her face and hair done at the moment,) and go the auditorium of the studio. I wait for Abby and Carter by the front entrance.

"Kali!" Abby waves from the middle of the crowd.

I wave my way to her and stand close to Carter so the crowd doesn't crush me.

"Hi guys," I grin, " I'm going to watch backstage okay? They need my help." I hug them quickly and hurry back to the dressing room before they can say anything.

Once in there, I rip off my street clothes, grab the sheer skirt and sprint to the make-up room, where the last girls are finishing up. I plop myself in a chair and an older girl immediately starts applying stage make-up to my face. I sit patiently and wish that Zac could have come, but he had a family thing. The make-up girl has finished my face and another girl is now doing my hair. She works fast because the show is going to start any minute. And finally she's finished and I catch a quick look at my wavy hair that is pulled into a half ponytail and covered in sparkles. My full lips are as red as my outfit and my eyes are very defined. I hear a shout "places please!" and run down the hall and onto the stage up front beside Carol. We smile to each other as the curtain rises. "Lady in Red" streams out of the speakers and we all move as one. The melody flows into my body as I twirl then pose gracefully as Carol starts her solo. I stay absolutely still along with all the other girls yet watch her moments in awe. She's finishing up now and I tense my muscles then move into my own solo.

Step, step, pirouette, hip, step, kick, pivot, pirouette, hip, hip, and hip… The next 56 seconds I hold the attention of an auditorium packed with people. I move softly and I dance with the rhythm. Finally, I move to the arabesque and poise elegantly on one foot with my head bowed. Unmoving. Until I feel it, the thunder in my belly, under my feet. I look up and grin at the familiar sound of applause. And I spot Abby and Carter, Abby has tears running down her faces and Carter looks awestruck. The curtain drops inches from my nose and I turn and run into a massive group hug with the girls. We're all beaming and laughing and making our way to the floor to see the guests. I move through the crowd, accepting compliments with smiles and then into my sister's warm embrace.

"Oh Kali," she whispers, smiling. I hug her tightly but am scooped off the ground by Carter.

"Wow Kali, my little prima ballerina, you had us all spellbound," he says, hugging me close, father's pride in his eyes.

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I sit in the back seat of the car as we drive back to the hotel, sniffing and swiping away fresh tears. After the performance Carter treated my whole dance team (including Madame,) to dinner. Now I'd said my good-byes and I wasn't sure when I would see them again.

"Aww sweetie it's okay," Abby murmurs, climbing into the back with me and wrapping me in her arms. I let my tears flow now that my face is in her neck and let the car lull me to sleep.

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The alarm screams insistently and I moan. The clock showed 5:00am and we were out the door in an hour to make out 7:00am flight. I literally role out of bed, and start to crawl to the bathroom when my hands remind me of their cuts and I'm forced to stumble to the bathroom.

I take a long, hot shower and get ready in my usual routine (hair, make-up, clothes,) then go to Abby's room where she is looking equally cranky and she changes my bandages in silence. We never talk until we've had coffee. I go to the kitchen and see that Carter made some before he went for his shower and smile as I pour some for myself and Abby. Cream and sugar in mine and black for Abby. Dropping off her cup as I pass her door I then go back to my room and pack my remaining things.

Too soon we are on our way to the airport and I watch the dark sky glumly. I hadn't seen Zac since my hospital stay and I didn't get to say bye. We arrive at the airport and do all the necessary checks and go in all the necessary lines and are finally boarding when I hear someone call my name. I turn, Zac!

I run to him and he holds me.

"I couldn't go back without seeing you," I whisper, "I've built a whole new life in Chicago but I miss everything I once had here."

"Then stay, and have it all again," he says eagerly.

"Zac, I can't. You know it's not the same," my voice trembles.

"Kali please," he begs.

"I can't," I whisper. Holding back tears, I run back to the line and board the plane. Leaving him and my old life behind once again.