Emotional Bonds

AUTHOR: Piper Fox
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Disclaimer: See part one.

Note: I have no idea where Lucy's mother lived, so I just made it Chicago.

(July): A few months later . . .

Lucy squealed as she gripped the side of her wheelchair. "Carter, slow down!" Wind rushed though her hair and she couldn't help but grin at her predicament. Carter was pushing her, at speed, though the hospital.

"What?" he said innocently, as he pulled her to such a quick stop she was almost thrown from the chair.

"These things need seatbelts," she commented.

"Are you saying there is something wrong with my driving?"

"Are you kidding?" she laughed. "You have got to be the worst driver I have had for this chair."

"Fine, you can walk then," Carter sulked.

"Stop it . . . I can't laugh this much . . . it hurts," she moaned.

"Okay . . . I'll take you back to your room now."

"Will you take it slow?"

"Yes ma'am."

Carter smiled as he took Lucy back to her room. It was amazing how they had become such good friends out of such an awful event. He looked forward to his visits to see her as he now saw a different side of her personality. It was refreshing for him to have her around; she had the effect of making him feel carefree. It had been hard for her, he knew. Many times, he had seen her in distress, yet she would always bounce back. "She has such spirit," he thought. She had made excellent progress with her recovery - a rigorous regime of different therapy made sure of that - but still it left her physically and mentally exhausted.

"Mom," Lucy called when she spotted her mother, Barbara Knight, sitting in her room.

"Hi darling . . . Dr Carter," she said, smiling warmly at them.

"Mrs Knight." Carter acknowledged her.

"How are you today, Lucy?"

"I'm managing."

"How are you Barbara?" Carter asked politely.

"Good and how about you?"

Carter sighed. "Not too bad . . . Lucy's keeping me busy."

"Hm, I can see that."

Lucy struggled out of the wheelchair and onto her bed. Barbara observed that Carter, who had a compassionate look on his face, was watching her closely.

"Only a few weeks until I can come home Mom," Lucy announced happily.

"Really? That's great."

"Yeah I know," Lucy's blue eyes were sparkling with contentment.

"So John . . . what have you been up to lately?" Barbara inquired.

"Working . . . there never seems to be an end to all the people that get sick," he joked. "Actually I've been looking at finding myself a new apartment."

"You never told me that," Lucy exclaimed.

He shrugged. "It never came up."

"Why's that John? I thought you were living with relatives."

"Yeah . . . Gamma's getting a bit too much for me. I've found this great place, but it's a two bedroom and I can't afford the rent without someone to share it," he explained. "Unfortunately I don't know anyone looking for a place at the moment."

"Lucy!" Barbara said suddenly.

"What Mom?"

"Well . . . you can't live with me forever. It would be nice if you could be closer to the hospital wouldn't it?"

"Are you suggesting I move in with Carter?" Lucy questioned, rather surprised. She thought her mother didn't like him. "A man that breaks your heart can never be trusted." That's what her mother had always told her.

Barbara's face went slightly red. "Well . . . he is looking for someone."

"Would you consider it, Carter?" Lucy asked, almost sure he would refuse.

"Well . . ." He thought it over for a minute. "I can't really see why not. Do you really want to move in with me?"

"Yes. I would like to . . . if you will have me."

Carter frowned. "Of course I will . . . better you than someone I don't know."

Lucy beamed. "How did that just happen? Me move in with Carter? . . . maybe it won't be too bad. We are friends now," she reminded herself. "Good friends."

Carter's beeper ruined her train of thought. "I've got to go . . . nice seeing you again, Mrs Knight. I'll call in later, Luce," he said making his way to the door.

"Bye Carter," Lucy said, as she watched her Mom run after him.

"Dr Carter can I talk to you for a minute?" Barbara asked once she was outside Lucy's room.

"If you make it quick."

"I don't want you to think that I was forcing Lucy on to you, but the truth is I don't think I'll be in Chicago much longer."

"I don't think that," Carter said impatiently, ignoring her comment.

"I want to thank you for being there for Lucy. She really relies on you . . . and I also just want to make sure that she doesn't get hurt again."

"I wouldn't let anyone hurt her Mrs Knight, but I really have to go," he said, dashing off down the corridor, leaving her standing there with an annoyed expression on her face. "What was Mrs Knight getting at? Had she meant that I might hurt Lucy? I know I'll take good care of her. She and I are close now. I guess she's just worried, but . . ." He let his confusion slide as he reached the ER.

"Mom," Lucy called out. "What was that about?"

"Nothing darling," Barbara smiled at her daughter. "Come and tell me what you did today."