Chapter Eight: Memories and Memorabilia

Silently Kem left, only briefly speaking to Abby. She knew that making a fuss and fighting for him was never going to work. She had to respect the fact he no longer wanted to be with her, and who could blame him. Shutting the door behind her Abby headed to the kitchen, where Carter had stormed off to moments ago. Lightly she placed a comforting hand onto his shoulder. Turning he pulled her into a warm hug. For what seemed like an eternity they just stood there, Abby allowing Carter to pour out all his emotions onto her in that one meaningful hug. Pushing her away, yet keeping a hand on her shoulder at arms length he gently stroked he face, causing Abby to look down at the ground. Pulling away she leant heavily on the worktop, wondering how to phrase what needed to be said.

"I can't Carter. I just can't. This isn't right. It wouldn't be fair on you or me or Kem. I won't be the rebound girl. I'd just end up hurting you and you may be okay with being hurt, but I wouldn't be okay with hurting you," sighed Abby not daring to look at him.

She felt the pressure of his hand on her shoulder as he spoke. "No Abby. Kem and I wasn't fair on any of us. You will never be the rebound girl because that's what she was. I know I was the one who broke up with you but I hated myself more than you can ever know after that. I didn't love Kem. Not properly."

"You're just saying that. Your all screwed up. You just tried to kill yourself; you don't know what you're saying."

"I know better than I've ever known before. You know the last thing I did before passing out? I pulled a picture from my wallet and whispered the words I love you. It's still there; go on check if you don't believe me!" He slammed his wallet down next to her. "I love you Abby and I'm putting myself on the line right now so whenever you are ready just say. I don't care what the answer is but you needed to know."

Silently he stalked off upstairs. Leaving Abby standing statue-esque, rooted to the very spot. She dared not move for fear that her world would come crashing down around her. She had to know, she had to. Shakily she opened the wallet and found the tattered old photo he'd been talking about. Staring back up at her was a picture of herself taken a few years previous. She was smiling happily at something in the distance behind the camera, she couldn't remember what. Perching on a near by stool for support she let her mind wander. Images flashed back on the table top as if she was watching a movie. It was her and Carter up on the roof.

"I want to marry you!" he yelled.

"You what." she shouted back.

"I want to marry you."

"Your crazy!" she exclaimed.

"Then I'll fit right in!" he yelled over the noise of the whirling helicopter over head. Only he could make a joke like that and be allowed to get away with it.

She could remember every detail as if it were yesterday. He took her out to a fancy restaurant, booked it all so it was just the two of them, made this whole speech then... later that night she found the ring in his jacket pocket. He never asked her, and he never forgave himself for it, but she didn't know that part.

Abby and Carter had been friends since forever it seemed. He had paid to keep her in med. school. She sponsored him through his rehab. They had once, even, been an item, but despite all that being in the past they still remained close friends.

She knew how hard it was to fight temptation, but, to her, this was a whole other ball game.