Chapter 5

As Doug listened to the radio he figured he should still take Carter out for dinner. "OK, well now I am hungry. Since it's getting late you want to just stop at Doc's and then I'll drop you off at your car?" Doug felt much better now. He thought he didn't have any friends left at County since Mark had died, but now he realized that Carter cared about him too.

"Sure Doc's sounds good to me," Carter replied. He knew Doug was his friend again, it felt great to have it like that again.

Doug pulled up to Doc's, it was pretty barren. "I guess most people don't thinks Magoo's for a romantic night out huh?" Doug laughed as they entered the restaurant. Most people who came to Doc's already knew what they wanted, it hadn't changed for Doug. "Hey," He smiled at the waitress. "Can I please have some chicken fingers? And... umm... I'll have some ice tea please."

As Carter ordered Doug looked at his watch. It was getting pretty late, almost 10:30. He knew Carol wouldn't care if he was late especially since he was with Carter. He was glad they had gone out, now he didn't have to worry Carol with his pain about Mark.

"So, Carter, you think I can get Kerry to give me my attending job back?" They both laughed. "God, that's one thing that won't change: Kerry Weaver forever and always will hate me!"

Carter laughed. "What's even worse, she's chief of staff. Maybe we can think of something," Carter said. He wanted to work with Doug again.

Doug laughed. "Chief of Staff! Oh my God, hell has frozen over!" Doug wrapped his hands around his neck and pretended to choke himself. Both men laughed. Doug was excited to be working with Carter again. They had some setbacks, but he knew now that they could become very close.

"So, when are you setting the date?" Doug asked. "You know, for you and Abby to be married?" Doug let out a smile cackle. "I'm the best man right?" Doug laughed, in all reality he and Carol needed to do something about their current situation.

"So, Carter, in all seriousness, you know if you are ever having a hard time, about anything, you know to call me right?"

Carter smiled at him. "Of course," He said. "And don't worry I can probably get you a spot back in the ER. After all, I am the chief resident there now."

"Wow! Carter: the all powerful chief now! HaHa yea get me the hook up!" Doug shook his head. "Actually I don't think Kerry has seen me yet today. It's probably a good thing, we didn't exactly leave on good terms. You remember that night right? Geez, what a mess." Doug smiled remembering.

"Hey, John, I'm serious about the marriage thing. If there is one thing I learned it is to tell someone whatever it is, you might never get the chance. Although, I am not known for my commitment but still..."

Carter laughed, Doug was never known for his commitment, but he really was happy for him and Carol. "I think it's too soon," Carter said. "We just started going out.

"Yeah. I get it, Chief," Doug replied.

Doug sighed. If he was to get a full time job back tomorrow, he would have to deal with Kerry, which wouldn't be at all fun. To top it off Romano was still around. "So, what's this I head about Romano losing his arm? That's too bad, even is he is a jerk.

"Well Carter, when is your shift tomorrow? I am getting a little tired. How about we stop at a Starbucks and grab a coffee then call it a night?" Doug said this reluctantly, he really wasn't in much of a hurry, but he didn't want to keep Carter more then he wanted.

"Sounds good to me," Carter said. "My shift is tomorrow, but maybe I can put a good few words in for you to Kerry if you want."

Doug nodded. "Yeah, why don't you do that. I hope it wont jeopardize your career!" Doug really didn't know how Kerry would react. He opened his wallet and laid down $25. "Come on Carter, dinner and coffee is on me." He grabbed his coat and led the way to the door.

"Oh man... I still have to unpack! I hate moving!" They both got into the car and headed down the road. once they reached Starbucks they started joking again. "It is so cold here! I almost blocked it from my memory! Seattle is a little more mild, or maybe I just suddenly became a wuss. Is this where you're from Carter? You handle it all pretty well."

It was half past eleven and Starbucks was nearly empty. "All right, what do you want?" Doug rubbed his eyes, he was glad Carol's mom had his girls for the night. "Hey, Carter, by the way, you any good at baby-sitting?"

Carter laughed at Doug. "I don't know I never baby sat before," He told him. "Why," He asked. "I know the nurses tell me I'm a good with kids. So maybe I try it sometime," He said.

"Good Carter! You can save me one night! I thought I was good with kids until they are everywhere! On the counter, running around, it's a freaking mess!" Doug laughed. "But I love them. You think you could be a father someday?"

Carter smiled a little. "Yeah, someday I would love to be a father with a family."

After a little coffee and a little more conversation Doug sighed, "OK John, you ready to go? I am a little tired." By this time it was well on its way to one. "You want me to drop you off by your car? I guess I will stop by County tomorrow and see if I can get my job back." Doug took his jacket again and walked out with Carter.

In the car Doug cranked up the volume on the radio. He was beginning to feel really tired, but he was looking forward to working with his friends again. "OK, John, here you go." Doug pulled up to where Carter's jeep sat, and stuck out his hand for Carter to shake it. "Thanks for tonight. You're a good friend."

Carter smiled. It had been a long time since he spent a night with 'the guys', he was always hanging with Deb or Susan. Then again, he was always happy to be with Abby. "Yeah, it was a great night. Thanks," He said as he shook his hand. "Oh, and Doug, call me anytime if you need to talk."

Doug laughed his usual laugh as he shook Carter's hand. "You bet," He said as Carter shut the door and Doug drove off. He was glad they had time to talk. Now he was off to be with Carol. Doug knew he would never tell her what they did that night, he would probably just make something up. He never wanted her to think he was having a hard time with anything.

Doug walked into their house to find that no one was home yet. Actually, he was glad to have some time alone. He turned on the TV but there was nothing on he wanted to watch. Then Doug lit the fireplace and decided to take a shower. Once he got dried off he opened the box where his night clothes were and got dressed. "Geez we need to unpack," He said aloud as he looked at the various boxes throughout the house. He just opened a beer and sat on the couch to wait for Carol. Doug thought about the house that they use to have, the one by the EL. Those memories always made him laugh. After nearly half an hour Doug was asleep, with only the memory of his first Valentine's Day in eight years that he hadn't spent with Carol.

Back at the hospital, Carter got into his own Jeep, but he just sat there. He didn't know if he wanted to leave yet or not. The worst thing was, he was tired. Instead, Carter was finding himself to tired to drive home. So, he fell asleep in his car.