Abby stood outside Susan's apartment door. She knocked twice before Chuck had answered. He had quickly ushered her in not wanting the cat to be let out. After taking off her coat and having a brief discussion with Chuck about nothing, Susan emerged from the kitchen carrying a steaming dish of roast beef. "Hope ya like rice, peas, and roast beef." She said quite frankly. Abby noticed how big Susan had become over the passing months. That's all she had been talking about lately; Chuck and she. Abby couldn't help but only be excited for them. They were made for each other. And now a little someone will be receiving both of their love.

"Abby?"

"What?" Abby whispered as she snapped back to reality.

"Ever since I put the dish down, you have been staring at my bulging uterus."

"Oh…sorry. Just a little tired."

"Or thinking about something."

"Susan, do you have to use such vulgar words such as 'uterus' at the dinner table?" Chuck chimed in.

"Technically we're not sitting down yet." Abby added with a grin.

"Then let's." All found their seats and helped themselves to the food. Out of nowhere Susan and Chuck started to giggle. Abby gave them a curious look, but Chuck kept on smiling.

"Ok, what's going on between you two?" Abby stated, placing her fork down.

"Oh…nothing." Susan teased.

"What, what's going on?"

"Well," Chuck started, "we were thinking of baby names the other night and we want to know what you think."

"Ok…" Abby said, still a little curious about the giggling.

"If it's a girls, we were thinking either Lily, Marie, or…Abby."

"You guys!"

"Or if it's a boy either Vaughn, Mark, or Michael."

"So, what do you think?"

"Well," Abby beamed, "if it's boy I like the name Michael-"

"And if it's a girl." Susan edged on."

"Why do you want to name your child after me?"

"Abby, you've been the closest friend I have ever had. I love you!" Susan grinned.

"Ok, your reason Chuck?"

"It's all about my Susie." He smiled and gave Susan a monster of a hug.

"Ok, what did I tell you about calling me Susie?"

"Sorry…sorry." He put his hands up in defense.

After another hour of and rocky road, Abby stated that she was beat and made her way towards the door. Halfway down the building stairs, Susan yelled after her.

"Abby wait!"

"What is it?" Abby said turning around, still messing with her scarf.

"Tell Carter I'm here for him. OK?'
"I'll tell him." Abby said. She waited a while until she heard Susan's door close. She hadn't even thought about Carter during the dinner. When she got back to her apartment, she took a quick shower and curled up on the sofa to watch a movie she had taped. The phone rang. Abby paused the video and answered the phone only to receive a click on the other end. "Hello!" She hung up the phone and continued watching her movie. It rang again.

"Hello?"

"Abby?" a muffled voice came.

"Who is this?" No answer came, only another click. She began to feel as if she were in a bad horror movie or someone she knew was making a prank phone call. Abby decided to forget about her movie and go to bed in order to have a decent morning.

Sitting alone at the kitchen table, he grasped his cell phone even harder. He couldn't eat, he couldn't think straight. So much had happened this day. Kem had waited a week to tell him about their son. She left. He had the intention of telling Abby, but he got angry with her. God only knows why. He was still mad at her, he decided. She shouldn't have pushed for his response. He was mad at anyone or anything that resembled peace or happiness.

Carter loved Makemba, he really did. Even without their son he would have stood by her in sickness and in health. For richer and for poorer. He would of gone halfway around the world for her, but he had to respect her wishes. He needed to talk to someone. Not Abby, not Abby. Maybe he would talk to Weaver on his next shift…maybe.

Carter ascended the staircase and headed into his bathroom. All I need is a nice long shower he thought. Just as he was about to shut his bathroom door behind him, the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Carter?"
"Yeh, who's this?"
"Abby."
"Why the hell are you calling me this late at night!" he demanded.

"I might as well be asking you the same question."
"What?"
"You've already called me twice. Star 69, it comes in handy."

"Well…" he stammered.

"Well what?"

"You wouldn't understand!" he let out a heavy sigh.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You never do."
"Maybe because you never tell me the full story!"

"Goodnight Abby."

"John…something is wrong…just admit that first."
"You're right."

The snow fell heavily, making a miniature wall against the windowsill. A small pot of coffee was brewing in the background. The constant sounds of EKG machines and patient's complaints filled the morning air in the ER lounge. Carter sipped his coffee slowly and stared out the window. Abby abruptly came through door carrying her usual bag and four coffees for the nursing staff and one for Neela. Carter got up and helped her place her load on the counter top.

"Thanks." She said, in a sort of a whisper. He didn't respond. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked. Still no answer. "Are you upset with me?" He shook his head yes. "Why?"

"Your shift started five minutes ago." Abby just rolled her eyes and made her way into the busy ER atmosphere.

"Abby, you've got to do something." Chen commented, grabbing a chart.

"Yeh, he's been a little delirious lately." Frank chimed in.

"Who?" Abby asked grabbing a third chart to keep her occupied.

"He's not eating and he won't talk unless he's barking orders at you." Chuny added.

"Makemba left." Luka mumbled.

"Who? What? Wait!" retorted Abby, spinning around and leaning up against the desk.

"Abby…you need to talk to Carter." Susan emphasized while the others nodded their head in agreement.

"Don't you think I've tried?"

"Well try harder; he's driving all of us nuts!" he paused, "Anyone having that last doughnut?

Just then Carter emerged from the lounge. He grabbed a chart and made his way to curtain one without acknowledging anyone.

"See what we mean?" Malik said.

"Ok…I guess I'll try again."

"You guess?" asked Haleh with a little bit of an attitude.

"Hey, it's not like I'm his girlfriend. We haven't talked in a while. It's awkward. Just give it some time."

Everyone gave Abby a look and busied themselves with incoming patients. The nurses station filed out quickly leaving Frank and Jerry to answer the phones.

Susan walked out into the ambulance bay, waiting on an incoming trauma. She could hear the sirens in the distance as she called Gallant out to help. The doors opened.

"MVA! Motorcycle versus six year old on a bike."

"Who rides a bike when it's snowing?"

"Name is Chandler Gohsman and seems to have broken ribs. Mom is on her way. BP is 90/60 and she keeps screaming for someone named Casey."

"Oh, got it." Gallant replied.

"Ok Abby, what do we do?"

"Get a CBC, Chem. 7, a neuro scan, and a portable chest x-ray!"

"Good. Now check the pupils."

"Equal and reactive."

"Now we have to secure an air-"

"I'll tube."

"Abby, visualize the chords…"
"Ok! I'm in, bag 'em!" The Trauma doors burst open.

"What do we got?"

"We got it Carter. Go see if Weaver needs help next door." Susan answered.

"You need one more attending. Not a med student and an intern!"

"Carter-"

"Casey!"

"Shhh," Abby said, "calm down, your mom will be here any moment."

Moaning interrupted his already sleepless night. His eyelids opened slowly, feeling for the lump that was supposed to be beside him. The moaning grew louder as he felt his way through the dark apartment. "Susan?" he called out. When no answer he came he tried again. "Susan!" The moaning became louder and louder as he made his way to the bathroom. He flicked on the headlight.

"Holy shit!"

"Chuck, there three minutes apart!"

"He had another dream again."

"The one where you are sprawled out in the bathroom and the baby just pops right out of you like a cannon ball?" Abby laughed, almost choking on her coffee.

"Yep, that would be the one."

"What if it happens?"

"It won't."

"Ok, but-" Carter walked into the lounge with his lab coat slug over his shoulder and his tie already loose.

"Guess what!"

"What Susan?"

"I'm due in two weeks!"

"Wow." He barked back.

"Ok, just because Makemba is off fighting AIDS in Africa without you doesn't give you the permission to act like a jerk to everyone else."

"You don't know the half of it!" He yelled, slamming his locker door shut.

Susan stood up, gave him an evil stare, then left.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Abby said through her teeth.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he replied with an evil smile across his face.

"Actually I would."

"So…thinking about hooking up with Luka?"

"What?" Abby gasped in disbelief.

"I really think that you two would make a good couple."

"John-"

"No really, I-"

"Carter!" Abby yelled, rubbing her temples. "You know I would never judge you. I am only here to help. Now this is the last time I'll ask you this and I'll leave you alone."

"What?" he asked flopping on to the black leather couch.

"What is going on?" Abby saw a tear tread down his face. She noticed something in the way he looked at her. He was hurt and still holding on to something. But what? He slowly stood up and walked towards the door.

"Nothing."