Missing - Part Nine

A/N - I love the reviews, thanks everyone...but i want more!

Chapter Nine - I Love You

It had been two days since Abby had been found. She was back at home with Luka now. Susan had discharged her the day after she had been found. Physically, Abby was in good shape. She had two fractured ribs, but nothing but rest and her arm in a sling would cure that. And she wanted to be at home. She wanted to see all her familiar belongings, everything that normally made her feel calm. But this time it wasn't helping. Abby was too jittery, too scared to enjoy being at home. Eric had stayed the first night, but decided to go back to Minnesota to start the funeral arrangements as Abby was in no fit state to even contemplate that task. It would be a while before Maggie's body would be released, as the police had to investigate it thoroughly.

Luka was worried about Abby. Not just about her mental state, but what he could do to help. He had been in contact with a therapist, at Abby's request. The same therapist who had helped her through her last abduction. Luka knew it was a good sign that Abby had identified the fact that she needed help. It was a step forward in that respect. But their relationship had taken two steps backwards. Abby wasn't comfortable with close contact, and so Luka had been sleeping on the couch. It did not bother him, but he wanted to protect Abby. He wanted to help her, and wrap his arms around her, to never let her go. But she wouldn't allow it. Every time he went to caress her, to kiss her, to show her he loved her, she flinched. For this reason, Luka was so mad with the people who had done this to her. They had been having such a good time before this had happened.

Luka remembered their first date. They had gone out for dinner after a particularly bad shift at work where they had lost a mother and her baby. Abby had been extremely cut up about it, she felt that she could have done more to save them. But, that was emergency medicine for you. Whilst sometimes you could do amazing things, other times, no amount of experience or knowledge could help you. Luka had suggested they eat together as they had not had time to have a break at work. Abby had at first declined, using her usual 'I'm Abby, I'm tough, I can manage on my own' attitude. But that did not work on Luka and she found herself eating spaghetti across a table from Luka. They had laughed so much that night, and had both realised what they had been missing. Both thought they wanted a good friendship, but by the third date they were having 'fun' in the bedroom. And their relationship grew from there.

The phone started to ring at the Kovac-Lockhart apartment.

Luka yawned as he walked over to the phone; he hadn't slept much for worrying.

"Hello" he said in his gruff tone.

"Hey Luka, its Carter. I just wanted to see how Abby was"

Carter had been great. Luka and he had shared a special bond since their time in the Congo together, and of course Carter and Abby had their history. Carter still loved Abby, but he couldn't define the difference between love for a friend, and love for Abby. But he was happy with his partner in Africa, and he just wanted to be a support for Abby.

"Yeah, she's sleeping at the moment. She woke up once screaming last night, but the sleeping tablets are helping. She has an appointment to see her therapist tomorrow afternoon"

"Do you think I could come over and see her?"

"I think she would like that. Susan is coming over at three, why don't you come together? I will warn you that she is very frightened of men at the moment"

"I understand. I'll phone Susan, and I'll see you later"

"Ok, bye Carter"

Luka hung up the phone and sighed. He wanted to click his fingers and make everything alright again. But he had to be patient, although this was not his forte. At the sound of stirring in the bedroom, he walked in to see Abby sitting up in bed.

"Hey Abby, how are you?"

"Uh, Ok, I slept better"

"Carter just phoned. He's popping over with Susan later. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, I would like to see them. Luka, I want to apologise"

"What on earth for?"

"For treating you like this. I can't explain it; I want to be close to you, but my body freezes every time you get too close. I would rather die, than to not be able to hug you again" A single tear started to fall down Abby's cheek.

"Oh Abby, you don't need to worry about that. It is hard, of course I want to be able to comfort you, but it's ok. I understand, and we'll just take it one step at a time"

"Luka, will you hold me?"

"Are you sure?"

Abby nodded. She looked so fragile to Luka. He moved over to the bed and sat next to Abby. He put his arm around her, careful not to hurt her, and held her close. Abby tensed up at first, but began to relax. She looked up at Luka for the first time since the abduction, and said "I love you".

Luka smiled, kissed her head and simply said "I love you too"