One week later. Carter and Abby have basically been avoiding each other, only working together on a case when absolutely necessary. They have not talked about what happened, as of yet.

Carter walks into the ER at the start of his shift.

Chuny comes running with a gown and gloves.

Chuny: Hey Carter massive MVA rolling up now. We need all hands on deck.

Carter: I just got here

Chuny: We need you right now, we already down one doctor. Abby called in sick today.

Carter: stops walking. Abby's sick? With what?

Chuny: Who knows? I think the flu. Come on, Carter. We need help. She runs out the door.

Carter goes to put his stuff in the Lounge and then goes to help out with the MVA.

End of the day. Carter's shift is over. He walks up to Abby's apartment with a brown bag in hand. He knocks on the door.

Carter: Abby? Abby? It's John. I heard you were sick. I brought some soup.

You hear a groan and feet moving towards the door. The door opens and Abby looks out. She is dressed in pajamas and has a blanket wrapped around her. She looks pale and sick.

Abby: Hi, come in. How did you here I was sick? She moves aside and Carter comes in shutting the door behind him. Abby goes and lies down on the couch. Her apartment is in disarray. There are tissues all over the table and dirty dishes in the sink.

Carter: Chuny told me. We really needed you today. There was one MVA after another.

Abby: smiles. Well now I'm glad I called in sick.

Carter: So what do you think you have?

Abby: It's just the flu. I've been throwing up all day.

Carter: Well I brought chicken noodle soup.

Abby: Maybe later. I don't really feel like it right now. Pause. Thanks though

Carter puts the soup on the table and comes and sits next to Abby on the couch.

Carter: feeling her forehead. You're burning up.

Abby: yeah, but I feel so cold. I have the chills.

Carter: smiles. So what have you been doing all day?

Abby: sleeping, throwing up, and watching TV, the usual sick stuff.

Carter: Yeah well you look pretty awful.

Abby: Hey what's that supposed to mean?

Carter: Nothing, just that you look sick.

Abby: Un hum, whatever you say. She smiles. Carter smiles back.

Carter: You know this is the first time we have talked in awhile now

Abby: Yeah, I know. About that…

Carter: Its ok, I know. We were both overcome with passion and it was mistake.

Abby: No that not what I was going to say. Pause. Its just so…

Carter: complicated

Abby: yeah. I mean one minute we're friends and then we're in a relationship and then we're not talking and then we're friends and now we're…

Carter: In a weird place

Abby: yeah

Carter: Well maybe it doesn't have to be so complicated.

Abby: What do you mean?

Carter: Well what if we start over fresh?

Abby: I don't think I can.

Carter: Why not?

Abby: Well, because … because ….

Carter: because why?

Abby: Because I don't want to

Carter: You don't want to what? You don't want to start over? You don't want to work through this? You don't want to what?

Abby: I don't want to … I don't want to start over. I want to work through this. I don't think I need to start over. Our history is part of our relationship. Yes we've made mistakes in the past. But if just start over, wouldn't that leave room for the same mistakes to be made again?

Carter: well if you put it like that, maybe we don't need a fresh start.

Abby: Good

Carter: But now what?

Abby: we work through it, now or we will never fix it.

Carter: smiles. So…

Abby: So back at Ike's a few weeks ago, did you mean what you said?

Carter: About what?

Abby: About everything. About Kem and having a family and …. Regretting going to Africa.

Carter: Looks down at his lap and then back at Abby to meet her gaze. Yes. Yes I did.

Abby: You weren't just saying that because you were hurt and vulnerable?

Carter: No, I meant every word of it. Abby you are the one I was supposed to be with. I know it. I've always known it deep down inside. It just took two trips to Africa to make me realize it for sure. Abby I love you.

Abby: well that's always nice to here smiles.

Carter: And you… any confessions to make. I mean I believe you were the one to initiate that night last week. Smiles.

Abby: No you initiated it. I just never stopped it. Smiles.

Carter: And why is that?

Abby: Because … Because I think… no I know … I still have feelings for you. Deep Breath. I love you John.

Carter smiles and then leans in and very gently kisses her on the lips. Abby pulls back however.

Abby: John, I'm sick. You're going to get sick. Stop. You can kiss me when you're better.

Carter: I'd rather kiss you now and take the consequences. Kisses her again. Plus I need a few days off work anyways. Abby smiles. And Carter takes this as a sign to kiss her again.

Abby: so have we worked everything out?

Carter: I think so, don't you

Abby: for the moment it seems like we have

Carter: for the moment?

Abby: well, you know. We never know what the future will bring. I mean it's us John. Silly, messed up us who can never get things just right.

Carter: Well, we're just going to have to try harder this time. And don't worry this time I'm not leaving you.

Abby: I know you won't. They both smile at each other. Suddenly Abby shivers.

Carter: Are you cold?

Abby: Just a little

Carter: Ah, come here. I'll keep you warm. Carter pulls Abby on top of him, so he is laying underneath her. They are laying face to face. You know you're still burning up.

Abby: I know but I feel cold. It's the chills that come with a fever. I told you not to come near me…

Carter: but I just couldn't resist. Ah it'll be fun. We'll both be sick together.

Abby: Un hum, whatever. Abby nuzzles her face down into his chest. John kisses the top of her head

Carter: Abby? Abby do you want to go to your bed?

Abby: No, let's just stay like this. And anyways, I'm too tired to move. Its comfortable here… in your arms. It's just so …

Carter: Abby? It's just so what? But Abby is already sound asleep in his arms. Carter kisses her on the head and falls asleep too.

The next morning. The sun is shining through the window, into Carter's face. He blinks and then wakes up. Abby is still asleep; however she is not completely on top on him anymore. She has fallen to the back of the couch and is more by Carter's side now. Carter looks around and reaches for the phone on the table, trying not to wake Abby. He dials the phone.

Carter: Hello? Susan?

Susan: (on the phone): Yeah?

Carter: this is John. I'm sick. I'm not coming in today.

Susan: yeah, sure.

Carter: I think I have what Abby got. I went to see her last night. She's real sick. She's not coming in either.

Susan: Oh really. Is Abby there Carter?

Carter: No, I'm not with her (denying it but not doing a very good job)

Susan: sure you're not. Well have a nice day. I expect to see both of you her tomorrow.

Carter: But I'm sick (whining)

Susan: Bye Carter, tell Abby I hope she feels better.

Carter: Fine bye.

He hangs up the phone.

Abby stirs and her eyes flutter open

Carter: hey, how are you feeling?

Abby: A little better. I just have a headache now.

Carter: that's good.

Abby moves to sit up, but Carter pulls her down into his arms. Her back is on her stomach.

Abby: John…

Carter: what (whining)… you said you were feeling better

Abby: I don't feel that great. I am hungry though.

Carter: Well I guess that's my cue. He moves to get up. Abby slides off him and sits up in the corner of the couch. Carter gets up from the couch and goes to the kitchen. What do you want to eat?

Abby: I don't know. Just toast I guess.

Carter: Toast it is. He pulls the bread out of the fridge and puts two pieces in the toaster.

Abby: Who was on the phone before?

Carter: Susan. I called us in sick.

Abby: Does she know you're over here

Carter: I tried to deny it, but…

Abby: But she kept badgering you

Carter: Exactly

Abby: Well that means the whole ER knows

Carter: know what?

Abby: knows were together

Carter: how?

Abby: duh, Susan. She's the head of the gossip mill. Its probably all over the ER by now.

Carter: Is that so bad?

Abby: No I guess not. I just wanted to keep it between us for awhile. But whatever. They were going to find out anyways. This way we don't have to keep it a secret.

Carter brings the toast over to the couch on a plate.

Carter: here you go. He sits down next to her with a plate of his own. Abby grabs the remote and turns on the TV. Carter puts his arm around her shoulders and they eat their toast watching TV.

Flash to the ER. Same time. Susan has just hung up the phone

Susan: well Carter and Abby are sick

Neela: Great and we are totally backed up today.

Chuny: sick together?

Susan: Yeah

Chuny: Sounds like something's brewing in lover's paradise.

Neela: Am I missing something?

Susan: Carter and Abby are back together

Neela: Back together?

Susan: Yeah they dated before carter went to Africa. I thought Abby told you that.

Neela: No, I think she just assumed I knew.

Susan: oh

Chuny: Well anyways they are back together. He called them both in this morning.

Neela: so?

Susan: well when you pair that with the news that they slept together last week, the answer seems pretty obvious

Chuny: They slept together?

Susan: Oh yeah.

Chuny: Oh my gosh, this is such great news. She sees Ray in the hall. As she's walking away, Hey Ray, guess what I heard…