Standard disclaimers applied. See Parts I and II for further details.

Author's Note: Thank you for all your interest so far. Honestly, this fic spurred on me so suddenly that I hadn't even plan it all out. I'm just writing as fast as the ideas will come. Hopefully, we'll discover together where it all leads. ;)

III. Carter's Plight

John Carter had been living a blissful marital existence for the last three years. How many people can say that they married their best friend? Deb filled a certain void in his life. She understood him better than woman ever could. She knew the pressures of his career, his lifestyle and then molded herself to fit his personality. She was always there, ever constant, cool and composed. He could always count on her as a solidifying force in his life.

There were times when he contemplated having kids with Deb. Any children that they had together would contain the best qualities of both parents. Of course, he would have been satisfy with healthy children and hoped to give them a different childhood than the one that he had. The money would be there, but so would the knowledge of parental love and guidance. He vowed that his kids will always know how much he loved them and to cherish them more with each passing day.

While he wanted kids, he did not want to disrupt the equilibrium that he had with Deb. It was steady and unwavering. There was never really a good time to bring up the fact, now that work was getting more hectic. The ever-present staffing issue had become increasingly problematic. Abby was pregnant with Luka's child. She was placed on modified workload during her pregnancy. There were some personal issues that Susan was still trying to take care of. Over the months, it was up to him as Chief Resident to shoulder the burden. It was hard but it was work that needed to be done. Kerry wasn't taking any ifs ands or buts about it. Other staff felt the pinch as well, as everybody took on more overtimes and double shifts to compensate.

He saw less of his own home and more of the walls of the ER. Plans that he made with Deb was pushed back and rescheduled. Their schedules more often than not, did not coincide. Sometimes, she would make plans on a rare day off, but there was always something to do. He missed the presence of his wife but to his regret, it couldn't be help. In his mind, he knew that she would understand, after all, she lived the life of an ER doctor.

Sometimes, he would catch her gazing into the distance and he wonder what was on her mind. He used to be able to read her so well, but now, he could hardly spare a moment before his attention was drawn to other pressing matters.

He was grateful that Deb rarely complained about the arrangement. He would come home, just drowning in the site of her dark midnight hair contrasting against the ivory coloured sheets and pillows. Her lithe form curled up to one side of the bed. She was so peaceful and so content. It brought a soothing presence after a hectic shift. By the next morning, he would wake up to ruffled sheets and a cold breakfast that she had left for him. He wondered if last night even happened.

Abby's due date came sooner than anybody had realized. Luka had to reluctantly left for Croatia two weeks prior for a personal matter, so when Abby unexpectedly went into labour, Carter was there. It was the least he could do because he was truly happy for them. He had called Deb, explaining to her the circumstance. "Abby's a friend, Deb. I can't just leave her when Luka isn't around. You understand, don't you?"

To him, it was perfectly logical. He had been there for Deb when she was pregnant with Michael. He couldn't think of a reason why she would object to him coaching Abby through her labour. After twenty-six agonizing hours, Abby had given birth to twin daughters. Luka made it back to Chicago about two hours after the birth with Carter arranging a few phone calls.

The first person that he called was Deb, then Neela until the news was circulating through the entire ER staff. Both Luka and Abby thanked him. "Thank you John for everything." The two men knew that it was another turning point in their friendship.

For Abby, she had finally moved on and was now officially on her lifelong journey as a mom. "I appreciate the fact that you stayed. I think you saw more of this hospital than your own home. What would Jing Mei say?"

"Deb would understand."

"She's more forgiving than I ever be, if she has to put up the lights of you."

"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?"

"I doubt that I would ever let Luka miss our wedding anniversary for an ex-girlfriend, no matter how close they are."

"What?"

"The whole time that you have been here, all you talked about were the plans for your wedding anniversary. You know the plane, the dinner, the night sky ... it helps when you are stinking rich."

He nodded weakly, as his body went numb. The rest of the conversation was lost on him as he made a quick exit.

He came home to find the mansion bathed in complete darkness and silence, except for the faint haunting melodies of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata coming from the music room. Mentally, he berated himself. He knew that Deb was too practical for him to shower her with conciliatory gifts and flowers. The only thing that he could offer was an apology.

He walked in on the scene with the silhouette of his wife bathed in the glow of the full moon, as she sat with her eyes closed. Her deft fingers skillfully manipulated the grand piano. He had bought it for one of her birthdays. As he often was, Carter was enraptured by the mere sight of his wife. Thought he was afraid to break the spell, Deb had already sensed his presence in the room.

She looked up suddenly, stilling the music as her gaze penetrated his own. She had been crying and he was even more sorry for his neglect. "Deb. I'm sorry. I can't offer you anything in an apology except for myself."

He walked closer to her but she only cried harder. He leaned forward to kiss her, hoping to convey his meaning by his action. She only walked away and he dropped his arms as if he had been burned. He knew that she was angry and upset. He watched helplessly as she walked away from him, "I can't stay," she murmured.

Her voice was so low that he could barely catch her words. "Please don't go," he called back to her, but he realized that it was too late she was already gone.

End of III