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

Author's Note: I am sorry for the lateness of the update. I have three ongoing fics without an ending in sight, plus the fact that my birthday is coming up (I won't say when or how old I'll be turning), I'll be busy for a bit. Anyways, thank you all for your continual support and I promise the next chapter will be out next week!

VI. Deb's Story

Deb always counted herself blessed to have great friends around her: Pratt, Neela, Ray, Susan and even Kerry. She loved her job at County and even though, she once tried leaving medicine, but that proved to be futile. Medicine was in her blood - a passion as well as a profession.

Now, as she sat in her first class seat, listening to a rendition of Chopin's Waltz No 10., No.2 in B Minor, OPUS 69 on her headset, her thoughts drifted to the events that happened within the last few days. In one sense, she had left her husband of four years, but in another, she was just going to New York for a year while taking a new position.

Initially, she was apprehensive about New York's offer. She knew that her experience was enough credentials for her to be at least eligible for the position. After discussing it with Kerry, she was surprised at the older woman's offer in writing a recommendation letter.

On the other hand, Deb knew that the consequences would meant having to move away from home and away from her husband for a year. It would be a huge transition and that thought really held her back. However, after finding John's letter so many months before and then having him missed their anniversary was the real driving force in her decision making. It wasn't the single act alone, or the lack of apology, but it was about the principle of the matter.

She trusted her husband to be faithful physically but emotionally, she knew that a part of John still carried a torch for Abby. All her insecurities and self-doubts manifested threefold as she imagined them together. Liked any other women, she didn't want to be the rebound girl, or the safety net just because she was conveniently available. Was it so much to ask for to be showered with attention once in awhile by her husband?

That's why New York was such a wonderfully opportunity. It was a step-up in her career, no matter how temporary it was. New York was a beautiful city and she was as much of a city-gal as the next one. The people at Mercy Hospital had already arranged for a furnished apartment and was willing to pay for half her ticket to come. She notified them of her acceptance via email. It helped that Carter's private jet had a wireless connection.

After getting off the plane that was intended for flying her and John through the Midwest for their anniversary, she made a few phone calls for the next flight out to New York. She took advantage of using the Carter name and within a few minutes, secured herself on a first-class flight out of Chicago for the following day.

Afterwards, she was on her way to County. Despite the lateness of the hour, she found Kerry easily enough. However telling her had been difficult, but she was understanding of the fact and had already been making preparations. "I knew you were going to get the offer, the moment you asked me in this very office."

There needed to be no other words, as they had already settle their differences. On the way out, Kerry called back to her and say, "Jing-Mei, always remember that you have friends here at County."

"Thank you, Kerry and I'm going to count you as one of them."

She left to clear out stuff from her locker and was surprised to see Pratt who was getting off work. He invited her out for a cup of coffee. She wanted to decline his offer but then realized that it was only fair for him to know of her decision. She could hardly follow along with his narrative of his day, but she knew that she had his complete attention when she announced her intentions to leave County.

She barely allowed him to get in another word because she knew that he was smart enough to figure her real reason for leaving Chicago so abruptly. He didn't fail to surprise her when he showed up the next day at the airport with a gift and his acute observation about the state of her marriage.

Despite the hurt that she was feeling right now, she still loved John and she felt badly for leaving so abruptly with hardly an explanation. Most women would have told off their husbands in an eruption of anger, hurt and sadness. However, she had been hurting too long and too disappointed for a complete fall out. She guessed that inside she knew that she couldn't change people by only loving them.

The only thing that maintained to her was to salvage her own dignity and self-respect. She did so by sidestepping John's attempts to talk to her in the morning. She knew that she was putting Pratt in a bad position for being the messenger of ill news, but she couldn't get over the fact that it wasn't a matter that could be brush aside by a single kiss or an apology alone.

'Change is good and I'm ready for it.' She repeated the words dutifully, not really sure if the mantra was truly convincing even to herself.

End of Part VI