She stopped right where she was. He would always have the control over her.. she could never just leave it alone. She loved him too much. She turned around to look at him. He actually had tears coming down his face. This was only the third time she'd ever seen him cry.. he must love her. She walked towards him.

"Carter you know that.. I love you." The words were so soft, he only barely heard her. He looked up and his face glowed. Everything in her body was telling her just to hug him – to be with him. She was fighting it so hard. "But everything.. Kem.. you left me so quickly. How do I know that I wont be.. that you wont.." His expression turned back to sadness. "Like I've said.. you really hurt.. I just cant anymore. You lost me with that letter." She couldn't look at him, because she might do something stupid.. She turned to walk away.

He grabbed her arm. "Abby," he put her face into his hands.

"John don't.. please.." She shook him off and her eyes focused on his. This time he could read her. She was hurting.. he wanted to make that hurt go away. He also detected a little bit of confusion and a flick of anger.. he was surprised he could tell all of this from her eyes but.. he could see what she was thinking. He loved that so much.

"You have to trust me.. I need you to trust me. I needed time. I do love you.."

She cut him off. "I know I wasn't there for you when your grandmother died.. and I'm sorry.. but you promised.. you were becoming my constant.. I was miserable John.. everything was going wrong. Except for you.. you were there. Always. I needed that.. I didn't need anything.. all I needed was you." She'd never opened up to him like that before.

"I don't know what I was thinking.." He really didn't. He wanted to smack himself.. how could he have left the best thing he'd ever had?

They stared at each other. Abby finally spoke. "I guess it's best this way.. maybe we weren't meant to be? We're from two different worlds.. I'm nothing.. I've said it before.. if I were you I'd run.. and you do not want me to love you."

That pissed him off. "DON'T talk about yourself like that! How many times do I have to tell you.. you're NOT nothing! You're everything! You're smart, and beautiful, and at some times funny. I'VE said it before.. let me make the choice as to weather or not I love you. Not only do I love and need you, I want you. I want you more than anything.."

"And I want you too.. but I don't.."

"Don't you dare say you don't deserve me. Don't even. You do.. you deserve everything.. and so much more. It's me who doesn't deserve you, but I will fight for you Abby. I will. Forever." With that he kissed her.. but this kiss was different. It wasn't urgent and just a kiss.. it was like they were coming back together. Every emptiness she felt was suddenly filled. She didn't break away this time.. instead, she put her hand on the back of his head and deepened the kiss. They stood like this for a couple of minutes.. until he broke away. He saw her face. "Abby.."

She was crying. She never cried. At least rarely in front of him. She suddenly realized what had just happened.. "John.. what just happened? I can't handle this right now.."

"Well," He sighed, "I think.. and it's just a guess.. we just kissed. And I don't know about you, but I rather enjoyed it."

She laughed. That was, after all, his intention. Her face turned serious again. "What does this mean.. where are we?"

"Together." They kissed again. And again. And a few more times. They finally got into the Jeep. "Lets go get something to eat. Then.. who knows?"

They got back to the Carter "house".. some would say mansion.

"Wow." Abby said crossing her arms to keep herself warm. It was dark now and it had gotten cold. "It's been a long time.. I don't know if I should.."

"Come on. Lets go home." He took her hand. She smiled.. there were some butterflies in her belly. They had had dinner at a diner not far from her apartment, laughing and talking like they used to. They hadn't talked about the issue at hand, but there would be plenty of time for that tonight.

They talked as he entered the house. He stepped in first and stopped talking mid-sentence.

"Whats.." Oh no. Her stomach sank.. two black suitcases. She stumbled backwards.

There, on the couch in the den, was a short, medium-skinned woman with a look on her face like none other.. by the name Makemba.