Standard disclaimers applied. See Parts I and II for further details.
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Another quick chapter but be sure to read the note at the end of the chapter.
V. Pratt's Story
Carter reread the letter at least three times and in that time span, Pratt had made a silent exit. The words 'I can't stay' reverberated in his mind. He heard the stories of men who came home to an empty house, only to find that their wives had left them. Then again, he had seen enough single mothers who were left to raise children by themselves because the father of the baby had commitment issues. He wondered what myriad of emotions that these people felt. He would imagine it was something to the effect of shock and disbelief, anger, guilt, blame and hurt. He reread the letter, hoping the words would penetrate his consciousness.
It wasn't fair that Deb just assumed that he didn't love her, and she just naturally decided to get up and leave without a forewarning. She said that he hadn't been there for her, either physically or emotionally, but couldn't she understand the fact he wasn't physically possible to do so.
He thought about the early responses from both Pratt and Kerry. He now realized that they had prior knowledge of Deb's decision to take the Chief Residency position in New York. To him, it was justified that Kerry knew about this arrangement, but he wondered why Deb told Pratt.
-o-o-
The moment that Pratt caught the glance of the older doctor, he knew that some sort of confrontation would ensue. He was already prepared for it, when Jing-Mei gave him the letter. He hated the fact that he was being caught in the middle of somebody else's marriage. Being the messenger to any kind of relationship wasn't what he considered to be the perfect side job.
Carter had the forethought not to create a scene right there in the ER. The two men took the familiar path from the emergency bay, until they reached the corner stand that sold hot dogs and cans of pop. Neither of them were very hungry or thirsty, but they both grabbed something for the sake of getting something. Pratt hated small talk and so plunged straight to the line of questioning.
"Alright Carter, ask whether it is you have to ask but let me get this straight with you, I had nothing to do with Jing-Mei writing that letter. I have no idea what's in it. Frankly, I don't really care."
"Tell me, how long have you known?"
"Know what? You have to be a little bit more specific."
"That she was planning to go New York."
"Not long. I know she mentioned having a new posting for a couple of weeks. I didn't think anything of it, until she told me last night that she was leaving."
Flashback
He just got off at midnight when he saw the familiar sight of Jing-Mei leaving the staff lounge with a large shopping bag in her hand. He called out and caught up next to her.
"I didn't know you were working tonight."
"I'm not. I'm just grabbing some stuff," she explained while holding up her bag as an explanation.
He stared down at her upturn face, as if searching for further explanations from her chocolate-coloured eyes. The darkness obscured her features and she shifted under his gaze. "Are you heading home right now?" he asked.
"Yeah, more or less. And yourself?"
"Yes, but I always have time for you. You feel up for a coffee or something?"
"Not a coffee but hot chocolate sounds nice right now."
On their way to a little diner not far from County, he talked about his day. It didn't take long for him to figure out that there was something else on her mind. "Alright, tell me what's wrong?" he asked when their drinks were placed before them.
"It's ... complicated."
"That's bull, Jing-Mei. You know that doesn't constitute an explanation."
"I'm leaving, Pratt."
"What?"
"I'm leaving. Remember that position in New York that I told you about? Well, I got it."
It took him a while for him to digest the information. He was thrilled for her until he fully comprehend the implications of it.
"But -"
"I'm leaving tomorrow. They're desperate to fill in the position, so I already told Kerry that I was taking the year off."
"But-"
"No buts, Pratt. If you want to meet me at the airport tomorrow, my flight leaves at one in the afternoon."
Before he could get in another word, she had already grabbed her bags and leaving behind her untouched cup of hot chocolate.
End Flashback
"I guess that she worked only half the day. She managed to get last minutes tickets out to New York and the hospital over there already has accommodations set up for her. Anyways, she didn't tell me much, except for me to get this letter to you."
Pratt studied him for awhile before he boldly remarked, "She still loves you, no matter how much she's hurting right now. She didn't make this decision out on a whim because she felt like it."
"Well, she could at least give me some sort of explanation."
Pratt suddenly got angry, "Are you kidding me? I don't know what the heck happen between the two of you, but Jing-Mei told me that you haven't been around for goodness how long for her to have a decent conversation with you."
"I think that this is any of your business, Pratt."
"I may not have went to medical school with either of you, but I know Jing-Mei long enough to figure out that she hadn't been really happy for awhile. With you making puppy-dog eyes at Abby every other minute, it doesn't take a genius to put two and two together."
"What are you saying, Pratt?"
"Think about it, Carter."
With that, Pratt turned back into the direction of County, leaving a speechless John Carter behind to contemplate his words.
End of Part V
AN: In case anybody is confused, here is a condensed timeline of the events so far. Everything is rushed but you're going to get Deb's reaction to everything in the next chapter.
Four years ago wedding night: Carter wrote a letter to Abby, basically saying that a part of him still loves her, despite marrying Deb.
Four years later a couple of months before her 4th wedding anniversary:
Deb finds the letter written by John.
Deb contemplates the position from New York for a chief residency position.
On the Carter's 4th wedding anniversary:
Carter forgets the matter entirely as he was helping with Abby's pregnancy.
Abby gives birth to twins.
Deb is stood up and received a call from John. This was the final catalyst for her to accept New York's offer that night via email.
On the Carter's 4th wedding anniversary (that night):
Deb sees Pratt as he was leaving from his shift and she was at County grabbing a few things. She tells him of her impending departure. Later on that night, Deb tells John that she 'can't stay.'
Next day
Deb works half a shift and talks with Kerry, before meeting Pratt at the airport for her flight.
There, she gives Pratt a letter for John. John is distracted, until he and Pratt had a talk.