Hi everyone! Here's chapter nine; it's a bit shorter than the last chapter. (Sorry) I hope you all enjoy it, and please continue to review.
Abby walks into the empty ER and looks around. Everything seems to be moving in slow motion. Sam is leaning lazily against the admit desk talking to Luka while Carter and Weaver are busy discussing a chart.
"Great, another slow day at the ER," Abby says walking to the lounge. She passes Carter and Weaver giving them both a smile.
"Did you hear about Abby and Ray?" Kerry asks, "Supposedly they're dating now. I never saw that one coming."
"Kerry, would you please excuse me for a minute?" Carter asks, "I need to talk to Abby." Kerry nods and watches Carter walk away.
"Abby!" Carter shouts causing her to turn around. She smiles at him. "How are you?" he asks as they both enter the lounge.
"I'm pretty good," Abby replies with another smile, "How are you?"
"Fine," Carter quickly answers, "Look, we need to talk." Abby looks at him, her smile slowly fades.
"About what?"
"You and Ray," Carter answers. Abby's jaw drops and she stares at Carter in amazement. Just as she's about to say something, she's interrupted.
"Not so fast." Abby and Carter both turn to Susan who is perched on the couch. "I get to be the first to hear about what's going on between Abby and Ray. I am the one who told Abby to go for it, after all." Abby rolls her eyes and laughs.
"She's right Carter," she says. Susan smiles sweetly at him.
"Carter, we need some privacy if you don't mind."
"Of course I don't mind," he says trying his best to fake a smile as he leaves the lounge. Once Carter is gone and the door shuts, Susan turns to Abby.
"Okay, spill it," she says with a smirk, "And don't try to tell me that nothing is going on. I saw the little rendezvous in the hallway this morning." Abby blushes and turns away.
"He's wonderful, Susan," she says with a smile, "I'm so happy; he makes me feel this way. It's so hard to explain. I want to tell everyone about how happy I am; it's wonderful and-,"
"Hold on, hold on," Susan says trying to calm Abby down, "Before you go out telling the entire world about your happiness, how about you tell me about New Years Eve. I know something exciting happened." Abby blushes again, her cheeks turning an even darker shade of red.
"I knew it!" Susan exclaims, "You guys had sex didn't you?"
"Susan, at least let me tell you the story before you start celebrating. Now, where was I?" Abby pauses for a moment. "Well, we drank some kids wine on the fire escape and we kissed and then we-," Abby looks over at Susan who is listening intently.
"What, what did you do?" she asks.
"You know," Abby says. Susan stares at her blankly. "Susan, we had sex!"
"I knew it!" Susan exclaims again, "How was it? I bet it was great especially since you haven't done that in a while."
"Susan you're awful," Abby says, "Why do you have to keep tallies on my sex life?"
"Well it's true, isn't it?" Susan asks.
"Yes," Abby mumbles.
"So, you and Ray are together… kind of weird isn't it?"
"Yeah," Abby answers walking over to her locker, "Especially because I used to hate his frickin' guts." Susan laughs. "But it was so romantic Susan; you should have been there."
"Actually I'm kind of glad I wasn't there; I don't want to watch you and Ray in the sack," Susan states. Abby rolls her eyes.
"Not that, you perv… I'm talking about when he kissed me. I've never felt like that before."
Susan smiles at Abby's enthusiasm. "I think you've found a good one Abby." Carter pokes his head into the lounge.
"I'm sorry to interrupt this joyous moment," he says, "But we have a trauma coming in; bicycle meets an SUV, ETA three minutes."
"We'll be right there," Susan says. Abby walks to her locker and pulls out her white lab coat.
"Do you think he feels the same way about me?"
"What? Who?" Susan asks.
"Ray," Abby says, "Do you think he feels the same way about me?" She and Susan walk out of the lounge.
"I'd say he definitely feels the same way about you," Susan replies, "I think he's mad about you." Abby smiles.
"Thanks Susan," Abby says, "That's exactly what I wanted to hear." They walk to the ambulance bay and arrive just in time to receive the incoming trauma.
Abby sits at the admit desk, resting her head on her hand. She watches the second hand on the clock slowly make its way around. At this pace, my shift is never going to end. Abby groans and lays her head down on the desk.
"What's wrong Abby?" Neela asks sitting down next to her.
"I've been here for six hours but I still have thirty to go," Abby whines, "Why can't the time go by faster?" She bangs her head against the desk.
"What's wrong with her?" Pratt asks, "Is she having a little bit of Ray withdrawal?" Abby sits up and shoots him a look. "Whoa, whoa! Sorry Abby," he says walking away, "I'll make sure to avoid you for the rest of the day."
"Make it the rest of your life!" Abby shouts.
Abby pushes the door to the apartment open and walks in. She stumbles blindly through the living room as she attempts to find her way to the bedroom. Neglecting to take off her coat or shoes, she collapses onto her bed in an exhausted heap. Her eyelids flutter, fighting impending sleep in a losing battle. Ray walks into the bedroom and sits down next to Abby.
"What are you doing here Ray?" Abby asks.
"Neela gave me her key so that I could be here when you got home," Ray answers, "You don't look comfortable; let me help you out of your jacket." He stands her up, removes her clothing and helps her into a pair of pajamas. "Abby you can lie down now," he says helping her into bed. Abby lays her head on the pillow and smiles at Ray as he kisses her forehead. "Goodnight." Ray climbs into the bed next to Abby and listens as her heartbeat begins to slow down and her breathing becomes deeper and more regular. He watches her eyes flutter and dart beneath her eyelids; dreams have already begun to set in.
Abby and Carter walk out of the trauma room together.
"God, that was sad," Abby says, "Those are the kinds of cases I hate getting. That little girl didn't deserve to die."
"Does anybody really deserve to die?" Carter asks.
"You know what I mean Carter," Abby says, "She was hit by a drunk driver; she didn't have a chance." They walk in silence up to the admit desk. The board was clear and there were no incoming traumas.
"You want to get some coffee and talk?" Carter asks, "We never did get to talk yesterday." Abby nods. She and Carter walk to the lounge and sit down. "So," Carter starts, "How's it going?"
"Pretty good," Abby answers.
"I'll just get right down to what I want to talk about," Carter says, "What's going on with you and Ray." Abby smiles.
"I'm pretty sure you've heard everything already Carter," Abby says. Carter shakes his head.
"Stop playing games Abby, I want to know."
"Carter, why does this bother you so much? Ray and I are dating, okay?" Abby asks. Carter looks upset. "Just let me live my life Carter," Abby says, "I'm happy right now; Ray makes me happy." Carter looks away and then stands up.
"I can see you're happy," Carter says, "But how long is it going to last? What happens when your mom decides to show up and Ray meets her? What if he decides he doesn't want to see you anymore?"
"It depends, is he going to dump me through a letter?" Abby hisses as she storms to the door. Carter grabs her arm.
"You're still upset about that aren't you?" he asks.
"No," Abby says shaking his hand off, "I got over that just like I got over you. I think you're the one who is upset here. You're upset because for once in my life I am truly happy and you're jealous." She turns and storms out of the lounge. Carter slowly walks out after her, but stops when he sees Abby and Ray standing together at Admit. He watches as Abby smiles and plants a kiss on Ray's lips. If only her happiness was contagious.