Chapter 28

Doug sat down at Doc's. He knew he had cut Carol off but he just couldn't deal with it anymore. He was tired of always being one step behind. Like everything he did was never good enough for Carol. He was sure he had hurt Anna's feelings by running after Carol like that; he would be hurt if the situation was reversed. Doug pulled out the prescription that Anna had given him for his knee a day earlier. he had finally filled it. He took one out and swallowed it with his coffee. although it wasn't his knee that hurt he was in pain. Doug knew he had pretty much blown it with Carol, he was afraid if he didn't go back into county he would do the same with Anna. He felt his pager again and sighed as he looked at it. Slowly he got up and walked across the street. He took a breath before opening the door and kept his head down as he walked in.

"I'm sure that she must be around here somewhere, they might have taken her for some tests." Abby said, "let's just go and rent a movie. We'll go back to your house afterwards and snuggle up and watch it."

Susan hoped she hadn't done the wrong thing when she paged Doug. Carol and Doug just needed time apart for awhile. She walked out the trauma room in time to see Abby and Carter. "Hey Abby" she said to them. "looks like i am way out of the loop huh? are you guys leaving?"

Anna tried her hardest to smile when she saw Doug walk in the room. She caught his eyes for a minute before looking away. "Is that offer for a ride still good, or do I need to make other arrangements?" She asked her voice soft, yet lacking any sense of emotion.

Abby looked at Susan. "Yeah we are on our way out. Carter and I are going to go and grab a movie. He wanted to visit Anna but seems she's gone awol."

Carter looked at Susan. "I don't know who to blame or want to be in the middle of there mess, I mean I was just looking for Anna, that's all" he said to her

Abby pulled on Carter's hand. "I don't think we should be taking sides in it Carter. Let Anna, Carol and Doug work it out."

Susan nodded. "Yeah...they are all pretty emotional. I'm not supposed to say but Anna is in the lounge hiding out."

Abby looked at Carter. "You could go in and talk to them if you want but I wouldn't if you are going to butt in and take sides."

Doug looked at Anna smile and it just tore him up. He walked sluggishly over to the chair and sat down. "No I'll still take you if you want. just give me a second ok?" his tone was flat and cold but he couldn't help it. it seemed like it was 'get Doug' day. he set his head down on the table. he needed to compose himself before he said anything else.

Carter nodded. "Um Doug's been staying at the mansion" he told them. "I'm ready to get out of here" he said

"No there's no hurry Doug." She said to him, "I just wasn't sure what going on with everyone and I don't want to be a burden." Anna leaned over to gather what she had up. "I know that you and Carol were arguing, and I was the cause of that. You have enough going on in your life right now I don't want to cause you more trouble." Those were the hardest words that she had to say all day. "If you need time Doug just tell me, I'm not going anywhere."

Doug slammed his fist on the table. "Look, I don't want to think about Carol...and i don't want to freaking talk about her right now. don't feel bad. you're not a burden. you're not...anything." Doug was talking fast and harsh. he just wanted to leave. "if we're going to go then let's leave." he said standing up.

Anna was silent as she picked her bag up off the floor and headed for the door. She vaguely remember where she had parked his jeep that morning when she had dropped it off. "Let's go." She said with her back to him.

Doug grabbed his coat and headed briskly out the door. in the hallway he saw Abby, Carter, and Susan and rolled his eyes. he couldn't stand their judgment. he walked outside and looked for his car. "where'd you park?" he asked holding out his hand for the keys.

She looked at him like he was nuts. "Over there somewhere how the hell am I supposed to remember? I had my skulled drilled open today. And if your holding out you hands for your keys. I don't have them."

Doug wanted to scream. instead he clenched his fist and jaw. he didn't need to let anything stupid come out of his mouth. after taking a few seconds he came up with a solution. "ok i keep an extra set in the dash. if i can get in the car i can start it." he said walking forward to look. after a few minutes he found his jeep right in the front lot. Anna hadn't locked the trunk so it was easier to get into than he thought. Doug grabbed Anna's bag and threw it in the back seat. he started the car and waited for her to get in.

She got into the car and shut the door. Anna put her seatbelt on and looked at him for a minute. She wanted to say something but everything that came out wasn't right. She figured it would probably be safer not to say anything at all at this point in time. She laid her head back against the seat rest and immediately realized that was a mistake. As pain shot thru her skull. She leaned the side of her head against the window and closed her eyes.

Doug started the car and began the ride to Carter's mansion in silence. only the low sound of the radio broke the tension in the air. Doug wasn't really mad at Anna, but it was easier to pretend. his eyes flashed over to her almost every minute, he just wanted to make sure she was ok. a little while later he pulled up into the drive way and parked. he undid his seatbelt and looked over at her. she had her eyes closed and he thought she was asleep. he reached over and touched her face. "Anna come on...lets get inside."

The softness in his voice surprised her she wasn't expecting it. She opened her eyes and lifted her head off the window. "Okay." She brought her hand up to touch his. She wasn't sure if he would pull away from her and go back to being angry again. Now silent she waited to see what he would do.

Doug squeezed her hand once and let it go with a weak smile. He got out of the car and grabbed her stuff, then went to open the door to the house. After they were both inside Doug, once again, felt out of place. He wasn't sure how to react to it all so he decided to just be a doctor. "You should take a shower and go to bed Anna." The drive had calmed him down and he now spoke softly but he just couldn't manage to lift his head up to look at Anna when he spoke. He was too disappointed in the way he had handled things.

She didn't argue instead she took the bag, turned and headed up the stairs. She didn't stop until she reached the room she had slept in the night before. She kicked herself for just walking away from him like that. But he was the one who was responsible for taking care of her right now, if Doug wasn't there then she would still be sitting in that hospital. She sat on the edge of the bed. She was exhausted and the dull ache was still pounding in the back of her head. She dug threw the bag and when she managed to find what she was looking for, got up and went into the bathroom. She got a glass of water and headed back to the bed. She took two of the percocets that she was sent home with. She placed them on the nightstand next to the bed. He needed time, she told herself. She prayed that he would come to her when he was ready. If for nothing more than to be her friend. She picked up his shirt that was still laying there where she had left it that morning and held it close against her body. It still smelled like he did. She could still feel his arms wrapped around her.