Not Alone

Summary: This takes place during and after "Tell Me Where It Hurts". It is a Carby fic, and it is hard to explain so just read

it!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own ER

Chapter 1

 "Abby, why don't you go home early?" Carter said softly. He could see how worried she was about her brother, and she would be no use here. Abby looked up at Carter. "No, its fine," Abby whispered.

"Please Abby; I can get someone to cover your shift."

"Okay," said Abby as she started walking to the lounge.

"Abby…" Carter called delicately.

"Yeah?" Abby asked as she turned around.

"I'll be there to help you through all this."

"I know you will be," she said as she went into the lounge. Abby opened her locker. How could I not realize that something was wrong with Eric? I went through this with Maggie; I should have realized that Eric could have a mood disorder as well. Abby could still remember the look on Eric's face when he got arrested. What kind of sister am I? I should have realized earlier that he was Bipolar like Maggie, Abby thought to herself as she slammed her locket shut, and left the lounge.

***

Later that night,

Abby looked at the bottle of wine that was right in front of her. Why did I buy that? Did I really think that having a drink was going to make all my problems go away; well, it would for a while. Abby then poured the drink into the glass. Just one glass that is all I need. She knew that she didn't really want it, and went and sat down on the couch. Abby tried to see if there was any news about Eric, but nobody would tell her anything.

"Oh John, please come home. I need you."

***

Later on that night,

 "Here's your order," the man stated, obviously bored, as he handed Carter a bag with some of Abby's favorite food. Carter paid the man, and left the fish and chip store.

He was so worried about her; he wanted to be right about Eric. Abby doesn't deserve to have go through this again; but she isn't alone anymore, I'll help her through it all.

Carter opened the door, and saw Abby sitting on the couch.

"Abby," was all he had to say before Abby turned around, and smiled slightly.

 "Hey, I tried calling you." Abby looked up at Carter. "I was on the phone."

 "Were you able to reach him?"

 "No" Abby stated in no more than a whisper.

 "I got some food," said Carter as he started walking to the kitchen. He saw the glass of wine and the open bottle on the counter. He wasn't mad at her; he didn't really care about the drinking right now. All he cared about was her being okay.

 "Thanks, but I'm not hungry." Abby noticed then that Carter was eyeing the open bottle of wine.

 "John… it's not what you think. I bought it on the way home from work.

I just thought it would make everything better, but I didn't drink any of it,"

Abby explained softly as she hugged Carter." You do believe me, don't you?

 "Of course I do," Carter reassured her as he and Abby went and sat down on the couch.

  "How could I not realize that something was wrong with my brother? I went thorough it with Maggie, I should have realized that he might have it too. Carter soothingly rubbed Abby's back.

"You didn't know."

 "But John….it's my fault that he got arrested, you should have seen the way he looked at me. He looked like I wanted him to get arrested.

 "Abby, none of this is your fault, remember that."

Abby looked up at Carter, and she could hardly believe how understanding he was

being.

 "Carter, I can't do this again. I did it with Maggie, and now I'm going to have to go through it with Eric." By this time, Abby had gotten up from the couch and started pacing around the room. "You are not alone anymore. I'm going to be here, with you, through it all."

Abby turned around. "Do you mean it?"

 "Yes, I'm here now and always"

Abby went up to Carter." Oh John, you don't know how much I need that right now, I need something to keep me going." Having mustered all her courage on that part, she sighed as she rested her head on Johns' chest. Abby then realized that she could get through this ordeal with her brother because she wasn't alone. She wasn't alone with John by her side. Not alone.

To be continued!!

Author's Note: I would like to thank my beta reader, as this fic wouldn't be as good as it is without her. I know a lot of people have done fics on this episode, but all well!