Gillian began to speak softly to Luka and with a quick glance at Abby he swept his friend into the lounge and quickly shut the door. Chuny nudged Abby's elbow with her own.

"So, how close were they in Africa?" she asked.

"Pretty close..." Abby replied. "Luka calls her his 'good friend.' She brought him back to the states after Carter found him in the refugee camp."

"I remember now!" Chuny said. "I thought I'd seen her with him before." Kerry Weaver strolled up the desk with clipboards in hand.

"There are patients waiting in chairs people," she said. "Let's get them out of here." She handed three of the clipboards to Abby.

"I just got a call about one of your cases, Abby," she said, 'It was from the very grateful manager of the Chicago Symphony. She wanted to know if it would unethical to present you with tickets to a concert series. You stitched up the finger of Carlotta Mendoza today? Good job on the patient satisfaction.."

"Carly?" Abby was flabbergasted. 'She is just a kid."

"And a prodigy," Kerry added. "I have seen her perform. She is quite an amazing talent. Now let's clear the board for the afternoon shift." Abby nodded and eyed the closed door of the lounge.

She was busy with a patient when Luka left. He came to the window and waved, indicating that he would call her. But that had been hours ago. She was snuggled into a chair in her apartment catching up on some reading. It was hard to concentrate on the journal in her lap. The tea kettle whistled and she got up to pour the hot water into a cup. The telephone rang.

"Luka?" she said as picked up the phone.

" No, Abby," came the voice at the other end. Abby smiled happily. "Susan!" she exclaimed. "I am so glad you called. How are you?"

"Wonderful," Susan sighed. "I love LOVE Iowa...but you've heard me say that before. Chuck and I signed papers today for a house! Can you believe it? It has a huge backyard for Cosmos to play in and I think we are even getting a dog." Abby chuckled. A lump grew in her throat as she realized how much she missed her friend's daily presence.

"How about you?" Susan asked. "How are you feeling? Any morning sickness yet?"

"Oh, here and there," Abby sighed and settled back into her chair. "I saved the Chicago Symphony Orchestra today." Susan laughed.

"How is Luka?" she asked. The lump in Abby's throat tightened.

"I'm not sure," she said. 'Gillian's back."

"Gillian?" Susan repeated.

"Remember that nurse from Montreal that brought him back from Africa when he was so sick?" Abby reminded her. "Long hair? Long legs? Gorgeous body?"

"Oh yeah," Susan said. "I remember. We all took a vow to hate her." Abby chuckled and then wiped a tear from her eye. She was silent.

"Don't do this to yourself, Abby" Susan said quietly. "You are sitting there imagining all kinds of things that are not happening. Luka loves you and he always has. For a long time...you know that. He would not screw this up again!" Abby sighed deeply.

"He hasn't answered his pager or his phone," she said.

"Oh, you know him," Susan said. "He probably took her out to dinner and they're sitting in a bar somewhere. He never could tell time...would always come and go when he pleased. I think he keeps his watch on Croatian time actually." Abby laughed again.

"I miss you, Susan," she said.

"Well, I am only a phone call away, kiddo." she said. "Now, get up out off your couch and make yourself some soup. You are eating for two now, you know."

"How did you know I haven't eaten yet," Abby asked her.

"Because I have lived your life, Abby," Susan laughed. "I'll talk you again soon. And I'll send pictures of the house to Luka's email."

"I'd like that," Abby said. "And Susan...thank you."

"Any time you need me, sweetie, just call," Susan said before hanging up. Abby set the telephone in it's recharger cradle and sighed. Susan was right. She was eating for two. It wasn't going to help either of them if she didn't take care of herself. She busied herself in the kitchen and opened a can of spaghetti rings. There wasn't much else in the cupboard. She'd eaten with Luka so often lately that she hadn't really noticed that her own larder was empty. She was stirring the spaghetti in a pot on the stove when the telephone rang again. This time it was Luka.

"Hey, you should see me now," she told him. "I'm cooking!" Luka chuckled on the other end and then there was silence.

"Is everything okay?" Abby asked as she scraped the spaghetti from the pan into a bowl on the counter.

"Gillian is here, Abby," Luka said. "At my apartment. I need to stay with her tonight." Abby's heart fell.

"I see," she said quietly. "Well, that's fine. Whatever you need to do. But can I ask why?"

"It's not for me to say," he said. They were both silent.

"Are you on the schedule for tomorrow?" he asked finally.

"No...actually I have the entire day off," she said. "I am not on again until Friday night. I promised Neela I would help her apartment shop...again."

"Well, we have some things we need to do tomorrow so I guess I will call you when we are home again," he said. "Good night, Abby"

"Luka..." she said softly. She heard him breathing on the other end of the line.

"I saved the Chicago Symphony Orchestra today." She smiled as she heard his soft chuckle on the other end of the line.

"Good night, Abby," he said again. She smiled a little and put the telephone away.