Hello, everyone. I'm sorry that's it's been so long since I have been able to update regularly, but I just haven't had the time. I've started my spring semester of college and I'm in three lab classes this semester not to mention two other classes. My time has been greatly reduced, but I promise that I will update as often as I can. I'm hoping to be able to update once a month, but there are no promises. (Sorry about that.) This chapter picks up where the last chapter left off and is in Abby's point of view. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, please review when you've finished reading. Thanks!

Abby's POV

It's one of those days that's supposed to make you feel lucky to be alive. As cliché as it sounds, it's true. But for some reason, I don't feel it. It's just another day to me; exactly like yesterday and the day before. Nothing changes. The world simply continues to turn, taking no prisoners. If you can't keep up, you're lost in the past. Me, I'm barely hanging on. I don't complain; I just wake up and take each day as it comes. People tell me that I really shouldn't feel like this, that I've come a long way from who I used to be. I know I'll be happy someday; I'm working on it. I lift my head up and look at the yellow tulips again. There are some things I need to focus on more than others.

I'm standing alone on the roof of the ER. It's my place; a little hideout that I run to when I need to think or escape from the world. Running away has always been my solution. I don't deal with problems; I just push them away and turn my back. It's worked on everything I've had to deal with so far in my life; my mom, Richard, Carter. Well, maybe not everything. I've got a new problem and its name is Ray. He crashed into my world and turned everything upside down… and I liked it. He has brought out a part of me that had previously lay dormant for so long.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see Carter standing behind me, a slight smile forming on his lips.

"Hey," I say forcing a smile. Carter walks up next to me and leans against the wall.

"What time are you on?" he asks. I watch him squint against the sun.

"One," I answer, "I'm really early, I know. I just needed some time to,"

"Think," Carter offers with a smile. He knows me too well. "A few people mentioned that they thought they saw you come in," he continues, "And I guess I knew right where to find you." I nod and stare down over the edge of the building; it's not that I don't want to talk; it's just that I don't know what to say. "You look like you've got something on your mind," Carter says joining me in looking over the edge. I nod again and say nothing. Carter is silent and glance at him to see why. There's pain in his eyes and he's trying to hide it. It's pain that I caused. I slide over and nudge him with my shoulder and smile when he turns to look at me; he attempts to smile back. I sigh. He's supposed to be one of my best friends and I'm making no effort to keep this relationship alive.

"It's Ray," I mumble, "Your predictions were almost all right." Carter turns his whole body to me, waiting for me to continue. "This relationship isn't turning out exactly how I expected it to," I say, "He's moving faster than I am." I look into Carter's eyes. "He loves me," I say, "He wants to meet my family." I grow silent and look down at my shoes.

"What are you going to do?" Carter asks, pushing for an answer. I shrug and dig the pack of cigarettes out of my coat pocket. I've promised myself so many times that I would quit smoking, and I don't remember quite why I haven't followed through with it yet. I am immediately reminded by the cloud of smoke that invades my lungs after I've taken a long drag from the lit cigarette in my hand; God I love this. I exhale slowly and watch the smoke get caught upon the passing zephyr and drift away. I turn to Carter again. "Abby," he mutters, "Don't do this." I give him an odd look. "Don't let him pass through your life like this." I laugh.

"I thought you hated the thought of Ray and me together," I say. Carter looks me in the eye and shakes his head.

"Abby," he says, almost pleading, "You are so happy when you're with him, don't let an early 'I love you' be the end of a great relationship. Wanting to meet your family is not a reason to freak out." He pauses for a moment, gathering his thoughts, "Every cloud has a silver lining, Abby." I roll my eyes.

"Since when did you become Mr. Symbolism?" I ask. Carter chuckles and takes his time to answer. Probably trying to think of something clever. I throw the burning cigarette down and step on it. I look up at Carter again and wait for his answer.

"I have always held that title," he says with a smirk. Okay, not clever at all. He puts his arm around me and pulls me into a hug. I realize now how cold I really am. The sun may be out today, but the wind still carries and icy bite. I bury my head into Carter's chest trying to capture any heat that his body is willing to give off. "Just give him some time," he whispers into my hair, "Give him a chance to make up for his mistakes. Ray knows that he messed up, and he doesn't want to lose you over something so petty."

"How do you know?" I ask pulling away slightly to look up at him.

"Because I'm a guy," Carter answers, "And I know what it's like to spend forever searching for that one perfect woman; the one who's beautiful and funny and intelligent. I know what it's like to want to do everything right for that special girl. And I know what it's like to lose her."

Suddenly I get the feeling that this conversation has become more complex than I had originally intended it to be. I pull away and pray for my pager to go off so I can get away. No luck. I look around and laugh nervously. I wish that I could run away right now; I need to escape.

"So, how's Wendall?" I ask attempting to alleviate some of the awkward feelings that are building.