"What are you guys doing!" Sam ran up to them. "Wendall is looking all over for you Carter."
"And Jake is getting curious too." Luka added.
"Come on" Sam said as she walked Abby back into the convention hall "You know I expected you two to get back together some day but not with your dates around the corner."
"Did Jake see that?"
"Did I see what?" Jake asked as he walked up and pulled Abby into a hug. Abby looked back at Carter as she rested her head on his chest and watched Wendall run into his arms.
"Nothing" Abby replied as she forced a smile "…nothing at all"
A couple days later in the ER
"Hey Abby can you take the kid with a broken ankle in curtain 4?" Pratt called out as he ran by to help a trauma.
"Are you sure you don't need help?"
"Yeah. The kid's been waiting over three hours."
"Got it covered" She started down the corridor to assess her newest patient when she spotted Carter coming toward her. As she turned to duck into the drug lock up, she heard her name.
"Abby!"
'Great' she thought to herself "I'm busy Carter."
"Hey we need to talk"
"About what?" She shrugged and continued toward curtain 4 again. Carter started to go after her but was stopped by Wendall.
"Hey did you need a consult?"
"Yeah…" He shot a quick look over in Abby's direction then escorted Wendall back to the exam room.
"Hello, my name is Dr. Lockhart. Could you tell me your name?"
"Timmy" he replied
"Well, you were right John. She was reluctant, but she's being beaten at home. We'll get her a foster family lined up." Wendall reported to Carter as she stepped out of the exam room.
"Good." John said as he rubbed his neck. "So do you want to grab Chinese tonight or just stay in and order a pizza?"
"oooo I don't know. Are those my only options?"
"Afraid so."
"I was kinda hoping for something Italian"
"Oh I forgot you're in training again!"
"Yup! Tell you what I'll cook us something at my place. What time are you off?"
"Ummm 5"
"Ok well I'm off at 3 so just stop by when you're done."
"You can count on it." He said as he leaned in to steal a kiss
Just then Abby walked by. She rolled her eyes and cleared her throat.
"Uhm!" Carter and Wendall just looked over at her.
"I need you to sign off on a few of my patients so they can go home." Abby said matter of factly.
"I'll see you later, John"
"Timmy broke his ankle when he fell…"
"Abby, wait."
"No. I'm done waiting" she said sharply
"Please, just coffee or something. What time are you off?"
"Carter…" Abby shifted her weight
"Hey guys!" Jake said as he rounded the corner. Carter stepped back
"Hey" Abby said as she tugged on his lab coat and gave him a quick kiss. Carter just looked away and waited.
"Sorry, were you guys busy?" Jake asked
"Actually…" Carter started
"We were just discussing some of my patients that need to be signed off." Abby finished
"Oh. Ok well I'm off now. I'll catch up with you later tonight then."
"Sounds good. I shouldn't be here too late tonight."
"Alright. Night Dr. Carter!"
"Night!" Carter replied.
"So about Timmy" Abby said as she handed him the chart. Carter decided not to push it any further.
Later that day, Carter was standing at the admit desk when he saw Abby turn in her charts and head into the lounge. He had to talk to her and get this mess sorted out.
"Abby" She heard from behind her
"Carter don't make this harder than it is." She didn't bother to turn around.
"I'm off now. All I want to do is talk." He heard her sigh then watched as she turned around with eyes pleading him to stop.
"It's not fair John."
"What's not fair?"
"I waited two years for you to acknowledge me again. Then the other night you expect me to just fall back into your arms and ride off into the sun set with you?"
"No." He answered quickly
"Then what do you want, Carter?" Abby asked as she threw her arms up
"I don't know." He answered out of frustration
They paused staring at each other for a moment.
"Talk to me when you know." Abby shut her locker and left for the day.
Back at Wendall's place Carter knocked on the door with a bouquet of flowers behind his back.
"Hey stranger" She said as she opened the door.
"Hey! I got you a little something"
"Oh John they're beautiful!" She took a moment to smell them then gave him a curious look "What did you do wrong?"
Carter just laughed "Are we so far a long that I can only bring you flowers if I'm apologizing."
Wendall smiled and shrugged "No, I like a surprise now and then." She gave him a quick kiss then went to put the flowers in water.
While she was standing at the sink, Carter came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.
"Dinner smells great!"
"Well spaghetti and frozen garlic bread isn't exactly the hardest thing to cook."
Carter watched her as she walked to the fridge and pulled out two bottles of water. She was so right for him in so many ways. Abby's voice rang in his ears. 'What do you want, Carter?'
'I want to be happy' He whispered back to himself