Chapter 23:

"Dr. Lockhart, can you tell us exactly what happened when you walked into your apartment?" asked a lawyer. It was about a month after the incident, because they wanted to do the trial as soon as possible. The trail was coming to an end today, and they were just finishing up with some quick questions.

Abby stands up. "Um, I opened the door, and then I heard a gun shot, I looked up and the bullet hit me, and I fell to the ground."

"Okay, thank you."

"Ms. Makemba Likasu, can you tell us what happened when Dr. Lockhart walked into her apartment?" Kem stood up. She was quiet.

"She was shot at." Kem pauses. "By me," she finishes.

"Okay, thank you. The jury will go and make their decision."

"Wait!" Carter says. Everyone looks at him, as he stands up. "We don't want to press charges."

"What?" the judge questions, bewildered.

"Kem was upset. Putting her in jail or making her do community service won't prevent her from hurting Abby again or in a few years. A restraining order would be just fine."

"Okay the jury will take that into consideration," Judge Matthews says, looking at the jury. The jury walks out of the courtroom. Abby and Carter decide to go get a quick coffee before the jury comes back with the verdict. They go out to the coffee stand on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse. Carter gets two coffees and hands one to Abby.

"So, it's finally over," He says, sipping his coffee.

"Yeah." Abby says. She is happy it is over too. She personally didn't care what happened to Kem. If it was up to her, she wouldn't have even gone to court, but considering she was shot, they had no choice. "That was nice," Abby comments. Carter looks at her. "We both know Kem's not a bad person, so it was nice to say that about just giving her a restraining order." Carter nods. They both just want Kem out of Chicago.

"So you think she's over you now?"

"Yeah, I mean I talked to her about it. She seems fine. She's going back to Africa."

Abby looks at her watch. "We should probably be heading back," she says. Carter takes her hand and they walk up to the courthouse.

They go in and sit down, and a few minutes later the jury comes back in having made their final decision.

The head member of the jury stands up. Everyone looks over at him, as he begins to speak. "We have gone over the case and Dr. Carter's wishes, and the jury has decided that there will be a permanent restraining order against Makemba Likasu. The details of the order will be decided in a private meeting with Ms. Likasu, and Dr. Lockhart and Dr. Carter will be informed on the details once they are decided."

The judge nods and dismisses the court. Abby and Carter leave to head for County, because they both have a shift. They get in Carter's jeep and start to drive to the hospital. "So who's place tonight?" Abby asks, because lately the two of them have been staying over each other's places every night.

"Actually, I think we should talk about that," Carter says, while turning left. Abby gives him a weird look, and he starts to explain. "Abby we are engaged. We spend every night at my place or yours. Wouldn't it be easier if maybe you just moved into my place?" Abby starts to consider this and is quiet for a while. "If you think it's too soon then-"

"No, it makes sense but," Abby pauses.

"But what?"

"I thought we would get married first," Abby is silent for a moment. "We are gonna get married right?"

"Abs, of course. Why did you think I asked you to marry me?" Abby smiles. "And if you want to get married before you move in then that's fine," he adds in.

"No. I want to move in," she decides. Carter smiles. "Now," she says, clarifying it.