Title: Things I Know To Be True
Author: Cutieqtpie
Spoilers: Mild spoilers for Season 12 but basically leaving off from where I guess ""The Human Shield" leaves off. After that, it's a free for all.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters on ER, so please don't sue me!
Author's Note: A long time ago, I used to write a lot of fan fics. And then I sort of stopped and started writing other things, but now I guess I'm back! So read and enjoy and tell me what you think because I'd like to hope I've improved in the last couple of years. I have most of the rest of it written, so by sometime next week the whole thing will be posted. I've pretty much stopped watching the show at all this season because the direction that's been taken has frustrated me. So this is basically how I think the rest of season 12 should play out (minus Abby being pregnant).
"Well well, the prodigal son returns." Her smirk was the first thing he saw as he opened the door.
"Why Dr. Lockhart, this is quite a pleasant surprise."
"The County gossip rumor mills were buzzing this morning. I had to see it for myself."
"Well the rumors are true. Wanna come in?" He held open the door as she walked through and entered the reasonably sized hotel room.
"So how long are you here for?"
"Well the Joshua Carter Center is opening this week, so I'm only in Chicago for a couple days, and then I guess I'll go back to Boston."
"Boston? I thought you were still in Africa!" She turned and looked at him as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Well I was in Africa for a couple months, then Kem and I decided to go to Paris for a couple months to visit her mother, then we went back to the Congo, then I needed to take care of some business in the states, and she told me not to bother coming back."
"Wow."
"So I've been staying in Boston for a couple weeks with my father, looking for somewhere to work." He explained.
"You're not going to come back to County?"
"I don't know. I left for a reason, I don't know if I could come back and just go back to the way things were. But it's still an option I guess." As he finished, Abby glanced at her watch and gave a surprised look.
"My shift starts at 5, so I should probably get going. I was just stopping by to say hi."
"It was good to see you Abby." He walked her to the door and opened it. As she got partway through, though, she turned and looked back at him.
"There was actually something I came to tell you." She said, not able to meet his eyes. "I wanted to tell you myself before you heard from someone else. Luka and I…are seeing each other…again."
"Oh."
"Yeah. It's only been a couple of months, but I wanted you to hear it from me."
"Hrm…"
"What?"
"Nothing. I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking something. Tell me!"
"I was just thinking how everything's come full circle. You and Luka…but I'm happy for you, if you're happy."
"I am."
"Okay then."
"Well I'll see you around."
"Good night."
"Good night."
"Mrs. Preston, I'm Dr. Carter. I'm going to be examining you today. Can you sit up for me please." Three weeks later Carter was on his final patient of his first shift back at County. "When did the pain start?"
"A couple of days ago." The middle age woman sitting on the bed in front of him replied.
"Okay, well I'm going to order some tests so we can try to figure out what's wrong. Someone will be in in a couple minutes to take you upstairs, okay?"
"Thank you doctor." John nodded and headed out the door towards the front desk, where he dropped the chart that had been in his hands into an already formed pile.
"Hey Carter." He looked up to see a familiar figure walking towards him.
"Luka." He shook the other man's hand and smiled as he was pulled into a friendly hug.
"I didn't think you'd ever come back here."
"Nah, County just keeps sucking me back in." John replied with a chuckle.
"Well it's good to see you."
"You too." Carter sighed and glanced at his watch before removing the stethoscope from around his neck. "My shift is officially over, so I will see you tomorrow."
"Have a good day." Luka called as the other doctor gave a short wave and disappeared into the doctor's lounge.
"Don't tell me you still come out here." His voice startled her and she turned around in surprise. But her face softened when she saw the owner and shook her head.
"Old habits are hard to break."
"Well there's no cigarette in your hand so I beg to differ." He pointed out.
"That is true. I did finally quit smoking."
"So what are you doing out here?" He joined her standing at the railing.
"I don't have to be at work for another hour. It's quiet here…everything is calm and once I get into the ER, everything will go back to being hectic and chaotic." She explained. "So today was your first day back?"
"Yep. I forgot how fast a 12 hour shift goes. In Kisangani it was just sort of an all day everyday thing. I don't know, in a way it's kind of nice to have a more organized schedule."
"County and organized? Those two words don't belong in the same sentence." She laughed. They stood for several moments looking out at the water, until finally he spoke.
"Well I'm going to head home. I got everything out of storage and now it's all in boxes all over the place."
"Where are you living?"
"I found a little one bedroom apartment. It's not very exciting, but then again it's only me."
"Do you want help unpacking? I could come over after my shift." She offered.
"You don't have to do that Abby."
"But that's what friends are for."
"Are we friends?" He looked away as he spoke, missing the surprised look in her eyes.
"Carter, I've known you for what, 6, 7 years? Of course we're friends."
"Still, it's fine. I'm fine. Don't worry about it."
"Fine. Well I should probably get going." She said, taking a step back from the railing and starting to walk away.
"Abby," He called as she was about four steps away, and she turned around. "Thanks for the offer."
"Hey, it still stands. Just let me know." She smiled and walked away as Carter once more faced towards the river.
"What am I doing here?" He muttered under his breath and shook his head as he gave one last glance at the water before walking back to where his car was parked.